“Too often we think of the males in our societies as the protectors, the providers; those who would provide safety and security.

“How often do we step back and truly look at the needs of boys and men when it comes to their safety and wellbeing?”

Those sentences and question were said by Cayman’s Premier, Alden McLaughlin, on Tuesday November 19 in his “Message for International Men’s Day 2013”.

He also said, “It is through the work and actions of active fathers and male role models that our boys will make the positive transition from boyhood to manhood.”

In a blog under the sub-heading “Some people have questioned the necessity of International Men’s Day (IMD)” found on the UK Internet website METRO the writer says:

‘Men have historically enjoyed more rights, near-total freedom and generally better quality lives all over the world,’ they cry, ‘What possible purpose could International Men’s Day serve?’

‘International Women’s Day exists because whilst there may be relative equality for the sexes in the West, women in countless countries all over the world are systematically oppressed and enslaved. But there’s nowhere on Earth where men have it as tough as women do,’ they might argue.

The writer’s blog is very comical and he says it makes sense to celebrate IMD and gives the following reason:

“Worldwide, there are 101 females for every 100 males. This means for every 100 men just going about their business, there’s a woman skulking around in the background waiting to kill or maim them. It’s time we took a stand like we do in defence of other minority groups.”

I must ask my fellow men these questions:

1. Did your wife or girlfriend (or either?) call you at work and ask you how you wanted to celebrate IMD?
2. Did she cook and prepare your favourite meal
3. Did she present you with your favourite bottle of wine?
4. Did she dress up very sexily waiting for you to come home after your hard working day?
5. Did she even know it was IMD?
6. Did you know it was IMD?

If there was a “yes” to any of those questions give yourself a drink. You are probably in the minority.

The premier’s speech is well worth a read or another read and can be found on iNews’ front page under “Breaking news” or at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/message-for-international-mens-day-2013-from-the-premier/

On the IMD website (http://www.internationalmensday.com/) it gives the objectives of IMD as:

“….a focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models. It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them.”

I did not celebrate the day even though being in the media I knew of it and had read McLaughlin’s excellent Message.

Next year I am going to make the effort.

IMD suggest these methods of celebrating the day:

“… public seminars, conferences, festivals and fundraisers, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, Church observances, and peaceful displays and marches”.

IMD didn’t get a mention at my church last Sunday.

I leave you with these sobering words again from our premier’s Message:

“One of the objectives this year is to address male suicides. Worldwide, more men kill themselves than do women.  The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly 1 million people take their lives every year and that most of them are males. In developed countries, it is estimated that men are generally three to four times more likely to take their own lives.”