MEN AWARENESS, NEED BE?

 

By Willis Ogada

Many people will be left wondering why men need an awareness day when everyday could be considered male-dominated day, while women are viewed as less beings in the society.

This then brings to a question of, "Why acknowledge an official day for either men or women yet both strive to be either equal or prominent over the other on a daily basis?"

I think the official days tend to acknowledge the 'weaker party' and so this should also be seen as important as other celebrated days internationally.

For a long time, there have been a narrative of empowering the girl-child while sidelining the male gender, where their social issues are neither of any organization concern nor of government's. It is then seen as a 'fight' between the male and those in any organization's power, to see the stronger side leaving the male in almost a bewildered state.

There has been what is termed as Men's Conference, or rather International Men's Day (IMD), where men are assumed to be meeting to discuss what may bring them together by sharing ideas, but is there any importance of such if not feeding each other with points of tackling female gender?

I believe there are several factors that affect the male gender that needs to be addressed, running from social-economic issues, mental health and physical challenges that men undergo.

Has anyone ever asked why there is high number of male's suicide than females, why many men die of heart related issues, why most men are alcoholic or die in alcohol-related cases, or let's say, is there a gender comparison statistic on road deaths and/or workplace deaths? Through the realization of all this, I hope we may have a VERY 'healthy world', as stated by Australians IMD 2023 theme, "Healthy Men, Healthy World."

Is there something that need to be done by organizations, governments or individuals to promote the activities that keeps men and boys healthy? Should men's mental health matter to everyone or rather be considered as a social issue or it's just an individual issue?

I think the media and society at large should focus on the well-being of men and boys, promote gender equality, and celebrate the positive contributions of each person towards society and encourage positive male roles for us to be in a safer place for everyone to live in.

Would you mind to check with your male family members and friends, and see how they're doing, engage your peers and colleagues in conversations and rather collaborate differences and acceptance? Remember, even that man or boy needs attention!