UK marks International Men’s Day with over 120 events – largest ever in the country and most in the world

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In 2017, up and down the UK, men, women and organisations have made International Men’s Day (Sunday 19^th November) in this country the biggest ever, including across the world.

Over 120 events and celebrations (only 12 in 2012) are focussing on how a difference can be made to the lives of men and boys and how we can give them better life chances. It also is an opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution they make to society and raise vital funds for charities supporting men and boys.

Making a difference to the lives of men and boys, includes addressing some of the issues that affect Men and Boys in the UK, such as:

• The high male suicide rate
• The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education including attainment
• Men’s health, shorter life expectancy and workplace deaths
• The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society (for instance, homeless men, boys in care and the high rate of male deaths in custody)
• Male victims of violence, including sexual violence
• The challenges faced by men as parents, particularly new fathers and separated fathers
• Male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based crime, stalking and slavery
• The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers

Statistics can be found at: http://www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk/statistics

Key events include Parliamentary debates (for the third year in a row), community events, men’s health events, business events, student events, political events, research launches, album launches, music video launches, toolkit launches, debates, exhibitions, conferences, competitions, comedy nights (including one organised by Sarah Millican),and fundraisers. Even a fishing competition on Deal Pier!

A range of key organisations support the event from police forces (Kent and Suffolk), corporates (PWC, Lloyds of London, Citibank, Barclays), public sector organisations, universities and charities. These charities are marking the event:

• CALM – Depression/Suicide (thecalmzone.net)
• ManKind Initiative – Domestic Abuse (mankind.org.uk)
• Survivors Manchester – Sexual Abuse/Violence/Exploitation (survivorsmanchester.org.uk)
• Mankind Counselling – Sexual Abuse/Violence/Exploitation (mankindcounselling.org.uk)
• Men Get Eating Disorders Too – (mengetedstoo.co.uk/)
• Men’s Sheds – (Essex: https://essexshednetwork.wordpress.com/)
• YMCA – (Newcastle: https://www.ymcanewcastle.com/)

Last year, it was endorsed by the Prime Minister, who said: “I recognise the important issues that this event seeks to highlight, including men’s health, male suicide rates and the underperformance of boys in schools, these are serious issues that must be addressed in a considered way.”

The International Men’s Day UK Ambassadors, said:

“The fact that so many men, women and organisations across the UK have taken up International Men’s Day shows how much men and boys matter. It is a time where everyone can come together and focus on supporting their wellbeing and the issues they face. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution they make and raise vital funds and awareness of charities that support them.

“The fact that there are now over 100 events, when in 2012 there was only a dozen, shows there is a real momentum behind International Men’s Day in this country and how seriously it is now taken as an annual event.”

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