Kinshasa, November 19th, 2025 (CPA).- International Men’s Day, celebrated on November 19th each year, has been presented as an opportunity to reject negative stereotypes and promote gender equality, in a message from a men’s network published Tuesday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This is a time to reflect on our attitudes, reject negative stereotypes, and encourage every man and boy to become an agent of positive change for equality between men, women, girls, and boys,” said Carlin Vese, national president of the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality in the DRC (Rheeg-RDC). Mr. Vese pointed out that this international day does not contradict March 8, which is dedicated to women’s rights. Rather, it is an additional opportunity to raise awareness among men about building an egalitarian world. « I would like to reiterate that this day in no way contradicts International Women’s Rights Day or efforts to promote gender equality.
On the contrary, it represents an additional opportunity to raise awareness among men and boys about their essential role in building a more just, inclusive, and balanced society, » he said. The gender equality we promote does not mean that men become women, nor that women become men. Rather, it is about ensuring that men, women, girls, and boys enjoy the same treatment in terms of human rights, the same chances, the same opportunities, and above all, equal access to and control over resources, particularly land, » he added.
This social activist said that Rheeg-DRC is campaigning internationally for this day to be officially recognized as “International Positive Masculinity Day.” According to him, this proposal aims to promote male role models who are committed to equality, peace, respect for human rights, and the fight against gender-based violence. International Men’s Day has been celebrated on November 19th each year since 1999. It was created by Jerome Teelucksingh, a history professor from Trinidad and Tobago. This day aims to promote positive male role models and raise awareness of issues affecting men and boys. This year, it is being celebrated under the international theme: “Celebrating men and boys, their positive contributions in all areas.” In the DRC, Rheeg-DRC, in collaboration with the “Nos voix comptent” (Our voices matter) initiative, has chosen the national theme: “Our rights, our future, now: together, let’s promote positive models of masculinity and fight against GBV.”