Beyond the Backlash
The Real Purpose of Women’s History Month
Every March, the conversation resurfaces:
“There’s an International Women’s Day.”
“There’s a Women’s History Month.”
“Why isn’t there a Men’s History Month?”
“Isn’t this anti-men?”
At Moco Coaching, we believe in balanced, emotionally intelligent conversations - not reactive ones.
So let’s explore this properly.
With facts.
With context.
With perspective.
First, The Facts
There is an International Men’s Day.
International Men's Day is marked on 19 November in many countries, including the UK. It focuses on:
Positive male role models
Men’s mental health
Healthy masculinity
Improving gender relations
Male wellbeing and suicide prevention
It simply does not receive the same level of visibility, media coverage or commercial momentum as International Women's Day.
There is also Women's History Month, recognised throughout March in the UK and the US.
There is no equivalent Men’s History Month in mainstream observance.
And that difference often triggers debate.
Why Women’s Days and Months Exist
To understand this, we need historical context.
For much of recorded history:
Women could not vote.
Women could not own property independently.
Women were excluded from universities.
Women were excluded from political office.
Women were barred from many professions.
Women’s History Month was established to highlight contributions that were historically overlooked, under-recorded or undervalued.
History books were predominantly written by men, about men, within systems led by men.
That is not an accusation. It is a structural reality.
Women’s History Month exists to rebalance visibility - not to erase anyone else.
Why There Isn’t a “Men’s History Month”
Here is the key distinction.
There has not been a systemic erasure of men’s achievements in the historical record.
Politics, science, philosophy, literature, business, warfare - the dominant narrative has overwhelmingly centred male figures.
Men’s history has always been embedded within mainstream history.
Women’s History Month exists because women were not equally embedded within it.
This is about historical representation, not modern resentment.
Supporting Women Does Not Mean Hating Men
This is where nuance matters.
Supporting International Women’s Day does not mean:
Ignoring men’s mental health
Dismissing male suicide rates
Minimising pressures faced by men
Overlooking areas where boys are struggling educationally
At Moco Coaching, we work with both men and women.
We talk openly about:
Male burnout
Emotional suppression in men
The pressures of modern masculinity
Hormonal health
Identity and performance
Advocating for women’s progress does not require hostility towards men.
Progress is not a finite resource.
Supporting women does not reduce support for men.
It addresses a different historical imbalance.
Where Men Do Need Support
Let’s also be clear.
Men face serious, measurable challenges:
Higher suicide rates across the UK
Cultural discouragement from emotional expression
Social isolation
Identity tied heavily to performance and provision
Lower likelihood of seeking support
These issues matter deeply.
That is precisely why International Men's Day is important.
The solution, however, is not to diminish Women’s History Month.
It is to strengthen conversations around healthy masculinity and male wellbeing as well.
This is not either/or.
It is both/and.
The Coaching Lens: Moving Beyond Scarcity Thinking
Much of the tension around this topic stems from scarcity thinking:
“If there is a spotlight on women, there must be less light for men.”
Emotionally mature leadership rejects that framing.
We can:
Champion women in leadership
Advocate for men’s mental health
Support boys in education
Address female underrepresentation
Talk about fatherhood
Talk about maternal health
At the same time.
Balance does not mean silence.
It means proportion and context.
A Better Question
Instead of asking:
“Why isn’t there a Men’s History Month?”
Perhaps a more productive question is:
“How can we create healthier conversations about gender for everyone?”
Because when discussions become combative, nobody benefits.
When they become curious, everyone grows.
The Moco Coaching Perspective
At Moco Coaching, we believe:
Strength is not built through division.
It is built through awareness, accountability and support.
Women’s History Month exists to correct historical imbalance in recognition and opportunity.
International Men’s Day exists to address modern challenges facing men.
Both can coexist.
Both matter.
Neither requires hostility.
Final Reflection
When women rise, families benefit.
When men are supported, families benefit.
When boys and girls grow into emotionally intelligent adults, society benefits.
It is not women versus men.
It is all of us - building healthier systems than the ones we inherited.
That is not anti-anyone.
That is pro-progress.
And that is something we can all stand behind.