Nyeri: As the world observed the International Men's Day on Wednesday, the general consensus is that society needs to take the welfare of men more seriously.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Day was first observed in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in honor of his father's birthday. What started as a local celebration in the tiny Caribbean nation has today spread to more than 80 countries, providing a global platform to encourage a deeper understanding of the roles men play in the community.

This celebration aims to recognize men who contribute to society through kindness, responsibility, and leadership, highlighting their roles in families, communities, relationships, childcare, and environmental responsibility. Additionally, the day focuses on men's physical, emotional, and mental health, issues that are often left unspoken.

However, as the world observed the day, some leaders and a section of Nyeri residents believe there is a need to re-evaluate how society views the place of men and identify whether the male gender is on the brink of being marginalized. Some argue that while the boy child was once celebrated, postmodernism and women's affirmative action may soon marginalize men in both the social and economic sectors. They contend that men continue to struggle in silence because society pays little attention to their challenges.

Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner, Ngunyi Maina, noted that while the rest of the world celebrates men's achievements, few in Kenya are even aware of the event's existence. He stated that most men lack information about such celebrations, as unlike women, men do not have strong ambassadors to champion their issues. He pointed out that men today feel frustrated because their issues have not been addressed, with the boy child often being left behind in discussions of empowerment.

The Deputy County Commissioner also highlighted how this neglect has contributed to conflicts within families, with men often being seen as aggressors rather than defenders of the family unit. He warned of serious social consequences as some men give up on marriage, relationships, and responsibilities due to feeling unsupported.

Local artist Mike Folly shared similar views, expressing that men do not feel valued and that society only acknowledges them posthumously. He criticized this recognition as mere lip service without substance. Peter Mwangi added that men suffer silently, as society expects them to be stoic, a notion he deemed misguided.

Grace Wanjiku, a shop attendant, called for more to be done to address issues affecting men, emphasizing that no society can thrive while neglecting the contributions and welfare of men. She stressed that celebrating men does not sideline women, as everyone deserves love and recognition.

Despite the ongoing debate about whether men require similar attention as women, statistics from May indicate a concerning trend of men resorting to suicide rather than confronting life's challenges. Former Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi revealed that nearly every day, a man in Nyeri was taking his life, leading to urgent intervention efforts by the County Commissioner's office.

The County Commissioner emphasized the need for concerted efforts to address this crisis before it becomes an existential threat for men.