International Women's Day (IWD) is internationally marked on March 8 every year, and on 9^th of August in South Africa.  It is a major day of countrywide celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Initially it started as a political event.  Although the day lost its political flavour in some countries, it has become an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In other countries, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

    What about a Men's day?

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International Men's Day is an international holiday, celebrated on the first Saturday of November. It was suggested by Mikhail Gorbachev and was supported by the United Nations in Vienna, and other organisations. The tradition began in 1999, probably by analogy to International Women's Day. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of men.

Recognition and support of the day is limited; in Malta it is celebrated on February 7, in Ukraine on February 23, in Poland and in Slovenia (Forty Martyrs of Sebaste) on March 10, in Brazil on July 15 and in Trinidad and Tobago and in India on November 19. In Norway it's celebrated on October 7, and on November 25 in Canada. In Hungary it's celebrated on May 19, on the nameday of Ivó and Milán, although it isn't as spread as women's day.

Should we have a Men’s day in South Africa?

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