INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY: THE TRUTH OF NEGLECTED SENSITIVITIES AND UNSEEN STRUGGLES: LALIT GARG

INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY: THE TRUTH OF NEGLECTED SENSITIVITIES AND UNSEEN STRUGGLES: LALIT GARG

1-NOV-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------International Men's Day, along the lines of Women's Day, is being celebrated worldwide. The first International Men's Day was celebrated on November 19, 1999, by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago. This day is being celebrated in more than 30 countries around the world. It is not just a celebration of men, but an opportunity to understand their status, struggles, and emotions in the changing social landscape. Just as women have been grappling with the burden of inequality, neglect, and injustice for years, today men too are speaking out about their exploitation and oppression on many levels. Like women, incidents of neglect, harassment, and injustice are now being reported against men as well. They too face pressure, depression, and social prejudices. Unfortunately, the suffering, struggles, and sensitivities of men are not as widely discussed as they should be. This day reminds us that society is made up not only of women but also of men, and neglecting one disrupts the overall balance. The theme for this day for 2025 is "Celebrating Men and Boys."

Today's men face a dual challenge in changing times—on the one hand, they are expected to fulfill traditional roles, while on the other, they face pressure to be more emotionally sensitive, supportive, and accommodating in new social structures. The struggle is that in this change, their pain, conflict, and brokenness are not taken seriously. The illusion of assuming them to be strong, tough, and problem-free hides their true needs. This is why the modern man often finds himself in a secondary position—as someone to whom society grants responsibility, but not authority and compassion. The neglect of atrocities against men is also worrying. Domestic violence, false cases, denial of parental rights, mental torture, workplace harassment—these are all real problems that are often dismissed as jokes or exaggerations. The stereotype that men don't feel pain overshadows men's pain. The truth is that men in India are also becoming victims of suicide, depression, and mental stress. Numerous reports have revealed that men are more likely to succumb to depression and suicide than women, yet this issue remains a societal priority. This neglect is not only inhumane but also threatens the balance of society.

A few years ago, the All India Men's Association, active in India, made a specific demand to the Government of India that a Ministry of Men's Development be established, similar to the Ministry of Women's Development. Similarly, some Bharatiya Janata Party MPs in Uttar Pradesh raised the demand for a constitutional body similar to the National Commission for Men, modeled after the National Commission for Women. These MPs even wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard. Harinarayan Rajbhar, an MP who wrote the letter, claimed at the time that many men who have abused their wives are in jail, but due to the one-sided nature of the law and the fear of social ridicule, they are not raising their voices against domestic violence. The question is, why do men feel such expectations?

It seems that men now want relief from the trauma and neglect they have faced. Various laws have blurred their existence and identity. However, with changing times, men have become more responsible and sensitive. Many young men are taking on greater responsibilities in building society and are proving this with their abilities and passion.

Society always expects men to be the backbone of the family, fulfilling financial and emotional responsibilities, and standing as a shield in times of difficulty. But when these same men weaken, break down, or seek justice, they are neglected. Men must have the right to express their pain, protect their rights, and be free from false accusations. Just as mechanisms of protection and justice have been created for women, there is a need to develop sensitive and just systems for men as well. It is essential to understand that men are an integral part of society—they are fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, and friends. Without their presence, any family or society is incomplete. They are individuals burdened with responsibilities, but because of this, they bear the greatest burden of pressure and expectations. It is also true that men have been the drivers of a large part of society's development, science, art, labor, and structure. But despite this contribution, today there is a need to increase sensitivity towards men's problems.

The message of International Men's Day is that men's dignity, safety, respect, and sensitivities must be protected, just as women's. Gender equality means not only empowering women but also breaking down unfair prejudices against men. A healthy, balanced society is one in which the problems of both genders are equally heard and understood. Freeing men from the shackles of rigidity and acknowledging their emotional existence is the need of the hour. Men's Day reminds us that coexistence, cooperation, dialogue, and compassion are the true foundation of male-female relationships. Men and women are not opposites, but complementary. Therefore, their problems, rights, and responsibilities must also be addressed. It should be viewed with a positive perspective. Only when society listens to a man's suffering with the same seriousness as it does to a woman's cries will we be able to build a truly balanced and humane society.

Strict laws have been enacted to prevent violence against women, but men too are victims of domestic violence. No government study or survey has yet been conducted in India to determine the number of men who are victims of domestic violence, but some non-governmental organizations are working in this direction. A study by the non-governmental organizations Save Indian Family Foundation and My Nation revealed that more than 90 percent of husbands in India have experienced domestic violence at least once in a three-year relationship. They too want to raise their voices for the safety and dignity of their existence.

International Men's Day is important because it provides an opportunity to see, understand, and respect men for their true nature—as human beings who are both responsible and sensitive. One who is strong, yet can also break; one who not only gives but also expects to receive. Human society is unimaginable without this new understanding of men. It is a global celebration that celebrates the positive contributions and achievements of men, while also focusing on important issues affecting men's health, well-being, and gender equality. The day provides an opportunity to promote discussions and actions that support men's physical and mental health, encourage positive role models, and advocate for a more inclusive society.