INTERNATIONAL MENS DAY

International Men's Day is observed on November 19 annually and serves as a

celebration to highlight the positive role of men in society, to their families and
communities.  
 
International Men’s Day focuses on men’s health, improving gender relations,
highlighting positive male role models, and promoting positive expressions of
masculinity. It is also an opportunity to recognize men who are not included within
the traditional manifestations of masculinity, such as gay and bisexual men,
transgender, or masculine non-binary people.   

It is worth noting however that IMD is not an exclusive event for men only;
females should also pause to recognise and honour the men and boys in our
society. To celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds and the efforts of male parents
towards their family and the wider society.

 The Six Pillars of International Men's Day

There are six pillars of International Men’s day including positive male role
models, creating awareness, fighting against discrimination, improving gender
equality and relations, and so forth that is recognized annually on November 19th.

1. To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men
but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.
2. To celebrate men's positive contributions to society, community, family,
marriage, child care, and to the environment.
3. To focus on men's health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and
spiritual.
4. To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social
attitudes and expectations, and law.
5. To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
6. To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach
their full potential.
 HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF INTERNATIONAL MENS DAY

1960s
Calls for the creation of International Men's Day

Calls were made since at least the 1960's, with The New York Times writing in
February 1969: "Many men have been agitating privately to make February 23
International Men's Day, the equivalent of March 8, which is International
Women's day."Global calls for its creation continued but various attempts for its
launch did not get much response.

1992
First International Men’s Day is introduced
The idea for this first day first came to Thomas Oaster, a professor in Kansas City,
Missouri, USA, who felt it was important to draw attention to the issues of men.
Originally celebrated on February 7, it had success for a couple of years but then
waned.

1999
International Men’s Day is revived
Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a professor from Trinidad and Tobago, revived the day
but changed it to November 17.

This date was significant because it was not only the birthdate of Teelucksingh’s
father, but it was also the date in 1989 that the Trinidad & Tobago soccer team
qualified for the World Cup, uniting the country with their efforts.

Subsequently after the date was then officially finalized to be celebrated on

November 19th. The day only gained international traction after it was inaugurated
by Teelucksingh in 1999, receiving overwhelming support in the Caribbean region.

2003
Australia joins International Men’s Day
Growth and popularity of the day soon spread from the Caribbean to other places.
In an effort to specifically support the plight of fathers, International Men’s Day
was brought around in Australia through the efforts of the Dads4Kids Fatherhood
Foundation.
2004
‘Movember’ gains traction in Australia
Also working with the focus of men’s health and other men’s issues, the
Movember movement begins gaining traction (and raising funds!) in Australia.
This event also takes place in November. The original focus was support for
Prostate Cancer Awareness but it has grown to suicide prevention and other men’s
issues.

2007
IMD is pioneered in India
Uma Challa, an Indian Men’s Advocate and mother of two, founded several non-
profit organizations to promote family. Even without knowing the origins of
International Men’s Day, Challa advocated for the event until India’s celebration
became the biggest in the world. (Challa also created International Boy’s Day.)

2009
International Men’s Day committee is formed
Jerome Teelicksingh becomes the committee chair of the new organization with
the aim of increasing awareness and including other nations in observance of this
important day.

2010 and Onwards

Independent Worldwide Celebration
The day is independently celebrated in several countries, including the U.S.,
Canada, U.K., Singapore, Australia, India, South Africa, Caribbean, Hungary,
Malta, Ghana, Moldova and interest in the event is increasingly rapidly in other
countries.
International Men’s Day seeks to raise awareness about mental health issues in
men, as well as other health and societal issues, by encouraging men to open up
and communicate with others. The traditional ideas of what masculinity means in
society is changing, and needs to change, if vulnerable men are to be protected
from these harmful conditions.
As stereotypes and discrimination start to break down in our culture there is an
emerging need for boys and young men to identify with positive role models that
embody the true qualities of masculinity. Those of kindness, generosity, inner
strength and natural, open communication. International Men’s Day, and the month
of November, is an excellent opportunity in our global culture to present the true
face of masculinity to those who need to see it.
Here below we have highlighted both International and Caribbean male figures.
We salute and recognize the endless efforts, initiatives, contributions and placing
them in the forefront of our consciousness.
 AGENT SASCO

Dancehall and Reggage artiste Agent Sasco whose given name is Jeffrey Campbell
is popularly known for his hit songs “Winning Right Now” and “Banks of the
Hope” was recently conferred with the order of distinction for outstanding
contribution to music, philanthropy and positive pro-social messages to young
people on October 17th at the 2022 National Honours and Awards held at King’s
House.
The award was presented to Mr. Campbell for his tireless efforts to help positively
affect youth through his generosity and uplifting messages. For Sasco, the honour
is just a catalyst that will keep him motivated to do more for Jamaican society.

It is refreshing to note that Agent Sasco is one of the few artists that has remained a
household name beyond his transformation from a hard-hitting and gritty artist to a
more positive and inspirational one.

Additionally, his philantrophist contributions consists of mentoring at-risk youth

and advocating for a better Jamaica through Recycling Partners of Jamaica and his
Banks of the Hope Foundation, which works with wards at the Metcalfe Street
Secure Juvenile Remand Centre in Kingston.

The artist helped build a recording studio to give the youths an avenue to not only
learn about music and earn from it but also use it to help reform themselves while
in state control.
 VERLIN LANE

 As a child, Verlin Laine spent his free time configuring vreverse-engineering
electronic devices and making other devices work using the same radio
frequency. When he emigrated from Haiti to the United States, he was
introduced to an entirely new technology. 

After completing college, Laine worked in the IT industry for 20 years--moving

up the ranks from help desk worker to senior manager. In 2020, he decided it
was time to lead his own team. “I knew that I was ready to start my own
business,” he said. “I know how to deal with vendors, contracts, and managers.”
So, he purchased a franchise with Team Logic IT and began servicing small- to
mid-sized businesses. 

Laine runs Team Logic IT while still working full-time. However, he aims to
grow his business and offerings to entrepreneurs who need technology and
business development support. 

He firmly believes that Caribbean individuals who have migrated to first world
countries should seize the opportunity to give back (improve a particular area of
interest) in your native homeland.
 DR NICK FULLER

Coming out of a life of modest economic means accompanied by exposure to

crime in his extended family, Nick Fuller pursued his science education, eventually
attaining a PhD at an Ivy League University and becoming a master inventor at a
global technology company.
At present, he leads a global portfolio for IBM out of their New York office. He
has shared the details of his life story in an autobiography entitled Struggle and
Progress, newly released in Trinidad and Tobago.
Struggle and Progress, enables the reader to share in the aspirations of a youth with
dreams and ambitions that far surpass his circumstances. The memoir details his
struggle to early adulthood, grappling with the absence of his biological father and
crime in the extended family.
This was coupled with reaching for and achieving lifelong progress in his career
and personal development. He does this by combining his passion for science and
discovery with the tangible support he received from his hardworking mother who
believed in him along with pivotal role models and peers in Fuller’s life.
In terms of career achievement, Dr. Nick Fuller is Director of the Global Hybrid
Cloud Services organization at IBM Research. In this role, Nick leads a global
team responsible for providing cloud and AI-based innovation for multiple IBM
business units.
Since joining IBM Research, he has held multiple technical and leadership roles.
Some notable achievements during this time include delivery of Artificial
Intelligence-based technologies for Information Technology Service Management,
AI-based innovation for customer IT support and advanced microprocessor
technologies for computing systems and clients.
Barbadian-born scientist, Professor Cardinal Warde, is President of the
Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI), Interim
Executive Director of the Caribbean Science Foundation, and a professor of
Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a
Faculty Advisor.

His research focuses on the development of optoelectronic neural co-processors

for brain-like computing, multi-spectral-polarimetric imaging sensors, infrared
projection displays and holographic displays. Professor Warde is an inventor on
twelve patents, and has published three book chapters in addition to over one-
hundred-fifty technical papers on optical materials, devices and systems. Since
1997, Professor Warde has served as the Faculty Director of the MITES program
at MIT (a six-week intensive program in science and engineering for gifted
underrepresented minority high-school seniors). He received the Companion of
Honour Award (the second highest honour awarded by the Government of
Barbados) in 2003 and serves as a scientific advisor to the Governments of
Barbados and Belize.