PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Henry Herrera
Telephone: +1-301-801-0608
Email: info@menandboys.net
Communities Around the World Gear Up for International Men’s Day and Men’s Equality Month
October 7, 2026 – This November, communities around the world will give men and boys something the United Nations (UN) calendar does not: a month and a day of their own. (1) The UN lists 14 international days for women or girls, but none for men or boys. (1)
The day is International Men’s Day, first observed in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. (2) On Thursday, November 19, it marks its 28th year with the theme “The Future Is Everyone.” (2) This year, its global leaders and the UN Reform Group of the International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB) are working to put the day on the UN calendar. (2)(3)
Every November, ICMB builds a month around the day: Men’s Equality Month. (4) The month celebrates the role that men and boys play in society. (4) It also draws attention to 12 areas in which men and boys have fallen behind. (4)
In health, one of those areas, men worldwide die five years sooner than women and die by suicide nearly three times as often. (5) In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services has seven offices of women’s health, but no office of men’s health. (6)
Men’s Equality Month aims to end that neglect, and it is spreading quickly. (4) In 2025, ICMB documented 147 observances in 72 countries, up from 22 countries in 2024. (7)(8)
Governments took part as well:
· United Kingdom: The Department of Health and Social Care launched England’s first Men’s Health Strategy on International Men’s Day. (7) The next day, the House of Commons held a debate on International Men’s Day. (7)
· Ghana: The Presidency marked International Men’s Day with a national event on men’s health, emotional well-being, and family life. (7)
· Cayman Islands: Premier André Ebanks spoke on men’s health and mentorship at the fourth annual State of Men and Boys Forum. (7)
· United States: Indiana Governor Mike Braun proclaimed November as Men’s Equality Month. (7)
Now in its third year, the month has 14 Regional Coordinators covering 13 countries on four continents, helping local organizations host events. (4)(9)
Among the plans already announced:
· United Kingdom: As of September 20, International Men’s Day UK listed 40 organizations taking part, from a Songs of Praise broadcast to activities by local councils. (10)
· Canada: The International Families Alliance will hold its 6th International Men and Families Conference in Toronto on November 6 and 7. (11) On November 19, Voice of Men 360 will focus on men’s mental wellness in the workplace. (9)
· Denmark: The Liberal Alliance and the Danish People’s Party will host the Danish Men’s Council’s presentation “Men and Masculinity in a Feminized Society.” (9)
· Germany: On November 19, a German coalition will hold a question-and-answer presentation on male role models. (9)
· United States: Advocates will meet with lawmakers in Washington, DC, on November 18 to discuss shared parenting. (9)
Building on those plans, ICMB has set a goal of doubling last year’s 147 observances. (7) Any organization in any country can take part. ICMB will list each planned event on its 2026 Men’s Equality Month page. (9)
At a minimum, ICMB asks:
· Journalists to cover Men’s Equality Month and International Men’s Day observances in their countries.
· Lawmakers to issue a proclamation, resolution, or statement recognizing November as Men’s Equality Month and November 19 as International Men’s Day, and to send a copy to info@menandboys.net.
· Organizations to hold an observance in November and send ICMB a summary by December 7.
The International Council for Men and Boys consists of over 100 organizations around the world that are working to end the 12 sex disparities that affect men and boys worldwide. https://www.google.com/url?q=
Donate to ICMB: go to: https://www.google.com/url?q=
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