International Men's Day

Recently, I overheard a man in the lift complaining that there are always International Women’s Day events and activities in his organisation, but nothing similar celebrated for men.

I think he’s right to point this out. I fully support more conversations around men’s issues. I’ve coordinated campaigns to raise awareness for men’s mental health, including consulting with health professionals and researchers in the field. There are plenty of topics to be raised, matters to be discussed, networks to be built, and support to be offered.

But there’s a limit to what I can, will and should do.

I wanted to ask the man in the lift if he'd be willing to apply for a grant. Come up with an event. Establish a committee. Book a venue. Complete a risk assessment… International Women’s Day activities don’t just appear out of nowhere. Work is needed to come up with ideas, enlist volunteers, and draw in and engage audiences.

My understanding is men can be a more difficult cohort to reach. They are not always as willing to get out and support a cause like this, which means coordinating and promoting men’s events might be more labour intensive.

Still, International Men’s Day is November 19. June is Men’s Health Month. And the awesome Movember has expanded to include men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Now, in the wake of International Women’s Day, with lots of inspiration around, is a great time to start coming up with ideas for how to mark these occasions.

I’d love to see men addressing causes and solutions to men’s loneliness, social disconnection, mental health challenges, financial stress, changing gender roles, internet exploitation, redpill pipelines, declining participation in education, unrealistic expectations and stereotypes for men, stigma around vulnerability, role models for healthy masculinity, mentorship opportunities, work and fatherhood. Whatever men believe to be valuable.

Anyone with a good idea can make a difference in their community. But the amount of work that goes into it should not be underestimated. Now is the time to start thinking!