Why not Men’s Day?

Where IS the gender equality when there is a Women’s Day and there is no Men’s Day?

I am not antifeminist. I have lived with females my whole life and am the only male in the family. I live with my mother and sister and I have been a witness to their independence and empowerment.

I know that women were oppressed during the early times and that their freedom was restricted, which prompted laws for women. But I think some women may be abusing these advantages they have over men. There is Republic Act No. 9262 or the Act Against Violence Against Women and Children. Because of this law, abused women can go to the police and file charges against their male partners.

But what if the men are the ones being abused by their female partners? Males are not the only ones hurting their partners now; females do, too. The law cannot possibly have this circumstance covered because it is specifically against “violence against women,” and not “men.” And also, the police would have to investigate further because they will not believe “violence against men by women” right away.

Furthermore, let’s say a woman went to the police and filed a harassment report. But if the accused did not really do it, and she was just lying, who would the police believe? There is a high probability that the police would still believe the woman and arrest the man. What about when the man is the one molested by the girl? Will the police arrest her when the law specifies “violence against women”? There is also a high possibility that the police would not believe the man. I don’t see gender equality here.

With regard to the women-only coaches in trains, I have no complaint. Women have more sensitive areas anatomically, and are really more prone to be molested especially in crowded areas.

I think Women’s Day is okay to empower and remind women of their endless potentials and capabilities. However, maybe some laws and rules instituted by our leaders are a bit too feminist and a bit too discriminatory. Will the free LRT or MRT rides really empower the women, or just discriminate against us men? Why can we not have free rides as well in one day of the year? (Not that I’m really asking for one.)

And also, why are female inmates out of jail just because it’s Women’s Day? There’s a little injustice for the male inmates who have been in jail for a long time and have not tried getting out because there is no such thing as Men’s Day, despite them convicted of the same crimes.

I have no qualms about women empowerment because I really salute all the women out there, especially my mother and my sister, the most independent and empowered women in my life. This is just my opinion, and some thoughts running in my head about the recent Women’s Day celebration.

A question to ponder: Is Women’s Day really intended for gender equality or to discriminate against men?

Jed Isaac L. Mugol, 18, is an ECE freshman at Mapua Institute of Technology.