The title must have made your mind race into every possible explanation, isn't it? You must have noticed that every year, March 8 is a special day that arrives with a big bang—with huge panels, long speeches, vast corporate campaigns, viral social media movements, and a global push for women’s empowerment. On the other hand though, November 19, tends to pass by much quietly– almost like a thin whisper, with only like a few scattered posts here and there about appreciating men but not much else than that.
Why is there such a stark difference?
We need to first see that both International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day exist to recognize certain gender-specific challenges as well as to celebrate achievements. Yet, they do seem to carry some vastly different tones to them—one is exceptionally loud and carries an urgency to it, but the other is not quite the same as it is subdued and almost hesitant. Is it because one matters more than the other? Or are we simply looking at them through their differences?
Let’s take a step back and unpack this conversation.
Women’s Day: A Worldwide Celebration of Progress
Women’s Day isn’t about appreciation alone, not simply borne of celebrating all things merry and beautiful—rather it challenges the ugly, and is a call against the status quo. It is deeply rooted in activism and social change. Historically, women fought for voting Or suffragette rights, achieving workplace equality, protection from violence, and leadership opportunities in diverse fields. While a good lot of progress has been made, the struggle for equal pay, representation, and safety is far from over even in modern times as thousands of news outlets would tell you everyday.
That’s why Women’s Day is loud. It has to be, it is made to be heard and to echo indefinitely. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still need to go.
As Mr. Amit Bansal, Founder of BharatLoan, puts it
"Women’s Day is a global celebration of empowerment, progress, and equality, while Men’s Day is an opportunity to appreciate responsibility, resilience, and positive masculinity. Together, they create a balanced world where both genders are valued and uplifted."
The key takeaway? Women’s Day is a movement, not just a celebration. It’s a call to action, and that’s why it gets the attention it does.
Men’s Day: A Quiet Conversation That Needs More Volume
Men’s Day, on the other hand, often feels like an afterthought. When it is acknowledged, it’s either celebrated with humor (“Men’s Day? Every day is Men’s Day!”) or viewed as unnecessary—as if recognizing men’s struggles somehow takes away from the fight for gender equality.
But here’s the reality: Men face real, often unspoken challenges.
Mental health struggles: Men are less likely to seek therapy or discuss emotions, leading to higher suicide rates worldwide.
Workplace pressure: Certain industries see higher male fatalities and injuries.
Societal expectations: The expectation to always be the provider, protector, and emotionally resilient figure can take a toll.
As Mr. Vikkas Goyal, Founder of Rupee112, puts it
"The difference between Women’s Day and Men’s Day isn’t about one being bigger than the other—it’s about recognizing unique struggles and strengths. Women’s Day highlights the fight for equality, while Men’s Day promotes mental well-being and positive role models. Both deserve equal enthusiasm!"
This is where the imbalance lies. Men’s issues exist, but they’re not talked about enough nor do men themselves feel comfortable in their own skin to share their struggles or internal feelings—which is exactly why Men’s Day needs more recognition, not less.
Why Does Women’s Day Get More Visibility?
If both days have their own importance, why does Women’s Day get all the spotlight? There are a few reasons:
1. Women’s Rights Have Been a Long Public Fight
Women’s Day is tied to historic movements as women were historically considered to be like an inferior gender or sex, and were often deprived of basic necessities that men had free right to—votes for women, workplace rights, protection from gender-based violence. These struggles have been highly visible, making Women’s Day a natural rallying point for governments, organizations, and activists.
Men’s struggles, while real ,are often more subtle and deeply ingrained in culture, often even being hidden in their own skin, making them harder to rally around in the same way.
2. Men’s Issues Are Often Dismissed
Society tells men to “man up” instead of seeking help. Men struggling with mental health are often met with silence, whereas women’s struggles have dedicated campaigns, hotlines, and safe spaces. Additionally, men are often not appreciated in the same way as women are– there's a stigma around it all, even social media meme pages would tell you how happy a man feels even when he gets a mere compliment because of how rarely they are appreciated.
Mr. Karan Sehdev, Founder of Merch Matters, addresses this perfectly
"True equality is not about dragging one gender up while ignoring others. Men face unique challenges—depression, pressure to comply with social standards, and societal expectations—that often go unnoticed."
3. Marketing and Media Favor Women’s Day
Brands and companies actively support Women’s Day because women’s empowerment aligns well with corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It’s an easy narrative to champion.
Men’s Day, however, doesn’t have the same marketing pull. There’s no clear commercial angle, making it less visible in mainstream conversations.
Should We Change How We Celebrate These Days?
Rather than debating which day is more important, we should focus on balancing the conversations.
As Mr. Vikas Bagaria, Founder & CEO of Pee Safe, puts it
"Women’s Day is a vibrant call for empowerment and breaking barriers, while Men’s Day fosters appreciation and open conversations about well-being. When celebrated with equal respect, both days bring us closer to a world of mutual support and understanding."
So how do we strike this balance?
1. Shift the Narrative From Competition to Collaboration
Men’s Day isn’t a counter to Women’s Day. They serve different purposes, and that’s okay. Instead of arguing about who gets more attention, we should embrace both days for what they are.
2. Give Men’s Day a Clearer Purpose
Women’s Day has clear goals—equal pay, representation, safety. Men’s Day should focus on mental health, emotional well-being, and redefining masculinity. It should be more than just appreciation—it should be about change.
3. Encourage Open, Honest Conversations
Men’s Day shouldn’t be a whispered discussion. Men should feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment. Workplaces, schools, and social spaces should create platforms where men can share their challenges.
As Mr. Kaushik Chatterjee, CEO of lendingplate, wisely notes
"Men’s Day tends to take a quieter, less highlighted approach. Often understated, it invites us to reflect on mental health, emotional well-being, and redefining masculinity. Instead of comparing which day gets more attention, the focus should be on using both as opportunities for dialogue, appreciation, and progress."
Equality On Both Ends
It is quite clear to us now that Women’s Day and Men’s Day both serve different yet equally vital roles and purpose. Women’s Day is about breaking barriers, while Men’s Day is about addressing silent struggles that are often overlooked. Neither should be seen as more important than the other and neither should be dismissed or seen casually for the very real purposes they serve.
As a society, we must ensure that both men and women feel heard, supported, and valued—not just on their respective days, but every day of the year.
Because at the end of the day, real progress isn’t about one gender winning—it’s about everyone moving forward together.