A day to celebrate men

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The objectives of International Men’s Day includes a focus on male health, tackling male suicide, improving gender relations, tackling tolerance of violence against men and boys, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.

The theme last year was Positive Male Role Models, but this year will be Keeping Men and Boys Safe, so they can become tomorrow’s role models.

In South Africa, the news is flooded with horror stories of acts committed by men against women on a daily basis, and very little focus is placed on issues affecting men, their safety or positive stories around them.

Meshack Kekana, chairperson for Dads in the Picture, an organisation that promotes and encourages men to play an active positive role in their families and society, says the small percentages of men who make a difference need to be acknowledged.

“In the same way we celebrate women and ignore those who abandon their children and those who abuse their men, we need to teach our children that there are a handful of men, brothers and fathers out there who are playing their positive role,” says Kekana.

Kekana says there is a lot of finger-pointing as opposed to constructive criticism against men.

He encourages people to come up with real programmes of action to solve the problem.

“We are all entitled to voicing our frustrations, but we as an organisation are doing our bit to speak out against rape and other injustices the best way we see fit,” he says.

International Men’s Day will be an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and childcare while highlighting the discrimination against them.

Methods of commemorating International Men’s Day have included public seminars, conferences, festivals and fundraisers, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, Church observances and peaceful displays and marches.