PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Lawrence DeMarco
Email: info@menandboys.net
Phone: +1-215-901-1930
Left Behind No More: United Nations Officials Urged to Launch ‘UN Men’ Body
September 11, 2025 – As the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) convenes in New York, advocates are urging world leaders to confront a glaring omission in the global equality framework: the absence of any UN agency addressing the rights and needs of men and boys.
Halima Layeni, Executive Director of Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF) (1), called for the creation of UN Men, the male counterpart to UN Women. “Each year, billions of dollars are directed toward programs for women and girls. Entire agencies exist to advance their progress,” she said. “Yet there is no UN Men. No dedicated institution, no agency, and no systematic recognition of the unique challenges faced by men and boys.” (2)(3)
Layeni’s remarks come amid growing concern over structural neglect. Globally, men have a life expectancy five years shorter than women and are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide (4). In education, boys underperform girls at every level in many countries, including the UK. Lawmakers have called the gender attainment gap “hidden in plain sight” (5)(6).
A recent article in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization confirmed that “men’s health has largely been ignored by international health agencies, funders and national programs,” describing the trend as “systematic neglect” (7). Layeni also noted the irony that men—who finance much of global development—are routinely excluded from its benefits (2).
The disparity extends to the UN calendar. While over seventeen official days recognize women and girls, there is no UN-recognized day for men. November 19 is widely celebrated as International Men’s Day, but the United Nations instead recognizes World Toilet Day on that date (8)(9).
September is Suicide Prevention Month, yet the UN has no flagship initiative addressing the crisis among men, despite suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 50 in many countries. “Movements like Movember have done more to spotlight men’s health than the United Nations itself,” Layeni observed (2)(10).
The International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB) has consistently advocated for a comprehensive approach to gender equality that includes both sexes. With mounting evidence from governments, international health authorities, and parliamentary inquiries, the call for UN Men is no longer symbolic—it is structural, strategic, and overdue.
The International Council for Men and Boys is a non-governmental organization that is working to celebrate the contributions of men to society and to end the 12 disparities that affect men and boys around the world. Achieving #GenderEqualityForMen will also benefit women. https://menandboys.net
Links:
(1) https://laafng.org/
(2) https://thesun.ng/unga2025-include-men-in-gender-equality-agenda-layeni-tells-world-leaders/?amp
(3) https://saharareporters.com/2025/09/02/unga2025-world-leaders-can-achieve-gender-equality-establishing-un-men-halima-layeni#google_vignette
(4) https://www.menandboys.net/health/
(5) https://www.menandboys.net/education/
(6) https://equi-law.uk/inquiry-4-boys-edu-underachievement/
(7) https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.24.292925
(8) https://internationalmensday.com/about/history-background/
(9) https://www.unwater.org/our-work/world-toilet-day
(10) https://us.movember.com