MEN’S EQUALITY MONTH and INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

#GenderEqualityForMen

November is Men’s Equality Month and November 19 is International Men’s Day. Yay!!

International Men’s Day (IMD) was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. Building on the world-wide success of International Men’s Day, Men’s Equality Month (MEM) was inaugurated in 2024 by the International Council for Men and Boys. These mutually supportive 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.

Two countries have now established organizations that are focused on International Men’s Day: Australia and the United Kingdom.

Theme for 2025 Men’s Equality Month: “Celebrate Men and Boys”

Following is a listing of various types of events to consider for Men’s Equality Month (MEM) and International Men’s Day (IMD) on November 19th:

  1. Organize a ‘themed march’ at the country or state capital on men’s and boys’ issues.
  2. Have a public event with presentations about MEN and International Men’s Day.
  3. Issue a proclamation with press releases, around a planned event.
  4. Schedule a series of podcast interviews during Men’s Equality Month and on International Men’s Day around the theme you have chosen.
  5. Set up a series of local radio interviews throughout MEM and IMD.
  6. Have a roundtable discussion with leading government officials and key experts in your country at the Country’s Capital
  7. Ask government officials (national, state or local) to issue press releases/statements, throughput MEM, especially on International Men’s Day,
  8. Conduct session/events in local schools for boys or in public forums.
  9. Organize a ‘health fair’ on men and boys’ issues,
  10. Organize events through local churches in your community,
  11. Develop a public media campaign to raise awareness about the health of men and boys
  12. Have a radio host or podcast host dedicate a time slot to men and boys’ issues on IMD or during MEM in November,
  13. Ask lawmakers to give a one-minute speech from the floor of the legislative chamber.
  14. Consider writing articles for newspapers, as well as, place on your group’s website,
  15. Develop a social-media campaign in your country, state or local community.
  16. Publish a video or video playlist in support of men, boys, fathers, and families in recognition of IMD or MEM.

Country Coordinators

The International Council for Men and Boys anticipates the 2025 events will dramatically increase over previous years. 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/or International Men’s Day.
  • Publicize these events to allied groups and supporters in your country, state, or province.
  • Attend the monthly Zoom planning calls.
  • Consider organizing an in-person event in your nation’s capital.
  • In December, compile a listing of the events held in your country, so they can be globally recognized.

To date, the following groups have agreed to serve as Country Coordinators:

  1. Argentina: Argentinian Women’s Front Against False Allegations – Andrea Guacci
  2. Australia: Awards for Men in Leadership – David Maywald
  3. Bermuda: ChildWatch Bermuda – Edward Tavares
  4. Bulgaria: Father’s Voice – Andrey Edrev
  5. Canada: Canadian Equal Parenting Council – Glenn Cheriton
  6. Chile: Fundación de Crianza Compartida (Co-Parenting Foundation) – Carolina and Nicolas Navarro
  7. Denmark: Danish Men’s Council – Torben Haugaard
  8. Ecuador: Parents for Justice – Diego Rivandeneira Icaza and Daniela Gonzalez
  9. England: Falsely Accused Network – Mike Thompson
  10. England: False Allegations Support Organization – Sean Parker
  11. England: International Falsely Accused Day – Lyn Crabtree
  12. India: Ekam Nyaay (“One Justice”) Foundation – Rohit Kumar
  13. India: Men Welfare Trust – Ritwich Bisaria
  14. India: MyNation Hope Foundation – Marshall Jairaj Benjamin
  15. Kenya: Wahenga Youth Group – Samuel Omare
  16. Kenya: WE4HIM – Emily Moraa Moturi
  17. Kenya: African Boychild Network – Rosemary Kinuthia 
  18. Nigeria: Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network – Ola Akinwe
  19. Nigeria: Life After Abuse Foundation – Halima Layeni
  20. Poland: Polish Association for Boys and Men – Jakub Mamelski
  21. Slovenia: Association of Fathers of Slovenia – Leonard Košir
  22. Spain: ANAVID – María Legáz
  23. Spain: Padres4Justicia – Charlie Edwards
  24. Spain: Women’s Movement for True Equality – Ana Lia
  25. Spain: Association for the Rights of Children with Shared Custody in Extremadura – José Carlos
  26. United States: (Colorado) Male Positive Media – Steven Van Valkenburg
  27. United States (Colorado): Colorado Resilience – Carl Roberts
  28. United States (Michigan): Dads and Moms PAC – Jim Semerad

If your group is interested in participating as a Country Coordinator, please contact Bob Thompson at rthompson@menandboys.net. Thank you!

Merchandise for MEM

If you are interested in purchasing ICMB merchandise, such as T-shirts (#Gender Equality for Men) for Men’s Equality Month, please go HERE.

Growing Scope, Visibility, and Importance

Since 1999, International Men’s Day has grown in scope, visibility, and importance — see summary HERE.

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.