MEN’S EQUALITY MONTH and INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY
#GenderEqualityForMen
November is Men’s Equality Month and November 19 is International Men’s Day. These observances are an opportunity to celebrate the role that men and boys play in society, and to raise awareness about the 12 areas of male disadvantage.
International Men’s Day (IMD) was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and coordinated by Dads4Kids in Australia. Over the years, International Men’s Day has grown in scope, visibility, and importance:
- IMD events have been held in at least 35 countries:
- Africa: Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe
- Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and the United States
- Asia: China, India, Pakistan, and Singapore
- Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Malta, Romania, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom
- Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
- Lawmakers or government officials have issued statements in support of IMD in the following 16 countries:
- Africa: Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe
- Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Canada (Oshawa and Winnipeg), Cayman Islands, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and the United States (Arizona, Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia)
- Asia: Singapore
- Europe: England, Northern Ireland, Romania, and Scotland
- Oceania: Australia
- The World Health Organization has highlighted International Men’s Day on social media:
- 2016: Depression
- 2018: Men’s Health Checklist
- 2022: Tuberculosis
Building on the successes of International Men’s Day, Men’s Equality Month (MEM) was inaugurated in 2024 by the International Council for Men and Boys. In 2024, MEM and IMD events were held in 20 countries, and millions of persons were reached on social media!
- See listing of over 300 events held around the world in 2024
The 2025 MEM and IMD events are expected to reach many more persons!
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The ICMB is now inviting groups to serve as Country Coordinators for the upcoming November events. Responsibilities:
- Identify groups in your country, state, or province that are willing to hold events to promote Men’s Equality Month and International Men’s Day.
- Publicize these events to allied groups and supporters in your country, state, or province.
- In December, compile a listing of the events held in your country, so they can be globally recognized.
If your group is interested, please reply to Bob Thompson at rthompson@menandboys.net