International Men’s Day: Rethinking Masculinity in a Changing World
Every year on November 19, the world marks International Men’s Day, an occasion often overshadowed by misconceptions, jokes, or indifference. Yet the day serves a critical purpose: to spotlight the health, wellbeing, roles, struggles, and contributions of men in society. In 2025, as global conversations around gender evolve, International Men’s Day offers a renewed opportunity to reflect on the complexities of manhood and the urgent need to support men in ways that strengthen families, communities, and nations.
For centuries, men have been expected to embody strength, courage, and resilience. They have been conditioned to suppress vulnerabilities and shoulder burdens (financial, emotional, and social) often in silence. But today’s world is changing rapidly. Economic pressures, shifting family dynamics, technological disruptions, and evolving social norms are reshaping what it means to be a man. In many cases, men are struggling to keep up with the pace of transformation.
Across the globe, and particularly in Nigeria, men face unique challenges that are not always adequately acknowledged. Mental health issues among men are rising, yet stigma remains a major barrier to seeking help. The culturally entrenched idea that “men don’t cry” forces countless men to mask depression, anxiety, and trauma. Statistics consistently show higher suicide rates among men than women, an alarming indication that silence is killing our brothers, fathers, sons, and friends.
Even in the realm of physical health, men fare poorly. They are more likely to delay medical check-ups, ignore early warning signs, or dismiss pain until it becomes unbearable. This reluctance, often rooted in notions of invincibility, comes at a heavy cost: preventable diseases, avoidable complications, and reduced life expectancy. To change this trajectory, society must normalise the idea that caring for one’s health (mental or physical) is not a mark of weakness but an act of responsibility.
Economically, men continue to bear the traditional expectation of being primary providers, even as unemployment, inflation, and job insecurity push more households into financial distress. The pressure to provide, without corresponding emotional and social support systems, is breaking many men. In a world that demands continuous adaptation, men deserve skills training, empowerment opportunities, and social interventions that acknowledge these burdens.
Yet International Men’s Day is not only about highlighting challenges; it is equally about celebrating the invaluable contributions of men. Men are builders, innovators, protectors, caregivers, and nurturers. From households to industries and from classrooms to communities, men continue to play indispensable roles in shaping societies. The narratives that focus solely on men’s shortcomings overlook the countless men who sacrifice daily to support their families, mentor young people, contribute to national development, and stand for justice.
But as we celebrate men, we must also redefine masculinity for the future. Healthy masculinity is not about dominance or emotional repression; it is about integrity, empathy, accountability, and strength that uplifts others. Today’s world needs men who lead with compassion, who respect women and girls, who raise boys to be better than past generations, and who build bridges rather than walls.
If society is to thrive, men must be empowered to be whole human beings: free to express emotion, ask for help, and pursue purpose beyond societal expectations. Governments, institutions, and community leaders must implement support systems: mental health services tailored for men, workplace policies that recognise burnout, educational campaigns that challenge harmful stereotypes, and programmes that encourage responsible fatherhood.
International Men’s Day 2025 should therefore not be a mere formal celebration, but a wake-up call. We must confront uncomfortable truths: men are hurting, many quietly. Boys are growing up confused about what it means to be strong yet humane. Fathers are trying to balance tradition with modern reality. Husbands are navigating evolving gender roles. Young men are searching for identity in a noisy, demanding world. This is the moment for society to choose empathy over judgment, support over silence, and partnership over division.
As we commemorate International Men’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a world where men can thrive, not only as providers or protectors, but as multifaceted individuals whose wellbeing is essential to the health of families and communities. A better society depends on the wellbeing of both men and women. To invest in men is to invest in stronger homes, safer communities, and a more balanced world. This year, let us make the conversation count.
