Difference between revisions of "International Men's Day"

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===Denmark===
  
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Men in Denmark formed a group which planned to hold their own International Men's Day celebration on 19 November 2010. The group's spokesman Martin Pavón said that IMD is not a political counterpart of Women's Day, nor in opposition to women. He stated, "We want to take this opportunity to promote everyday ordinary men who live clean and honest lives and contribute positively to society."<ref>{{cite web |last=Olsen | first=Helene |url=http://forsiden.3f.dk/article/20100308/NYHEDER/100309934/2140/NYHEDER |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203005815/http://forsiden.3f.dk/article/20100308/NYHEDER/100309934/2140/NYHEDER |title=Mænd vil også have deres egen dag |trans-title=Men want their own day too |publisher=Fagbladet 3F |date=8 March 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |archive-date=3 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gunge |first=Ulla |url=http://www.business.dk/karriere/maend-vil-ogsaa-have-en-kampdag |title=Mænd vil også have en kampdag |trans-title=Men want a day too |publisher=Berlingske Business |date= 8 March 2010 |accessdate=8 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kindt | first=Elle |url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/08/090330.htm |title=Mænd vil også have en kampdag |trans-title=Men want a day too |publisher=DR |date=8 March 2010 |accessdate=8 March 2017}}</ref>
  
   
 
===Norway===
  
===Norway===

Revision as of 10:31, 18 January 2021

International Men's Day (IMD) is an annual international event celebrated on 19 November. Inaugurated in 1992 on 7 February by Thomas Oaster,[1] the project of International Men's Day was conceived one year earlier on 8 February 1991.[2] The celebration was restarted in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1999.[3] The longest running celebration of International Men's Day is Malta, where events have occurred since 7 February 1994.[4] In 2012 the United Nations designated November 19 as World Toilet Day.

Jerome Teelucksingh, who revived the event, chose 19 November to honour his father's birthday and also to celebrate how on that date in 1989 Trinidad and Tobago's football team had united the country with their endeavours to qualify for the World Cup.[5][6] Teelucksingh has promoted International Men's Day as not just a gendered day but a day where all issues affecting men and boys can be addressed. He has said of IMD and its grass roots activists, "They are striving for gender equality and patiently attempt to remove the negative images and the stigma associated with men in our society"[7]

The objectives of celebrating an International Men's Day, set out in "The Six Pillars of International Men's Day", include focusing on men's and boys' health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting male role models.[8][9] It is an occasion to highlight discrimination against men and boys and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.[10][11] The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values.[12][13]

International Men's Day is celebrated in over 80 countries,[8] on 19 November, and global support for the celebration is broad.[8][3] International Men's Day is followed by Universal Children's Day on 20 November, forming a 48-hour celebration of men and children, respectively. Additionally, the month of November is also occasionally recognized as International Men's Month. International Men's Day is supported by a variety of organisations including UNESCO.[14]

Countries

History

Early background

Calls for an International Men's Day have been noted since at least the 1960s, when many men were reported to "have been agitating privately to make 23 February International Men's Day, the equivalent of 8 March, which is International Women's Day"[15] The date was informally viewed a male counterpart of Women's Day (8 March) in some territories of the Union, however due to the day's limited focus to historical events some countries of the former union have moved to adopt the more 'male specific' 19 November as International Men's Day, including Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Georgia.[13]

In 1968 the American journalist John P. Harris wrote an editorial in the Salina Journal highlighting a lack of balance in the Soviet system, which promoted an International Women's Day for the female workers without promoting a corresponding day for male workers. Harris stated that although he did not begrudge Soviet women their March day of glory, its resulting gender inequality clearly exhibited a serious flaw in the Communist system, which, "makes much of the equal rights it has given the sexes, but as it turns out, the women are much more equal than the men."[16] Harris stated that while the men toiled along in their grooves doing what their government and womenfolk tell them to do, there was no day when males are recognised for their service, leading Harris to conclude that "This strikes me as unwarranted discrimination and rank injustice."[16] Similar questions about the inequality of observing women's day without a corresponding men's day occurred in media publications from the 1960s through to the 1990s,[17][18] at which time the first attempts at inaugurating international Men's Day are recorded.[13]

In the early 1990s, organizations in the United States, Australia and Malta held small events in February at the invitation of Thomas Oaster who directed the Missouri Center for Men's Studies at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.[1] Oaster successfully promoted the event in 1993 and 1994, but his following attempt in 1995 was poorly attended and he ceased plans to continue the event in subsequent years.[19] Australians also ceased to observe the event (until they re-established it on 19 November 2003) whilst the Maltese Association for Men's Rights continued as the only country that continued to observe the event each year in February.[13] Formerly being the only country still observing the original February date, the Maltese AMR Committee voted in 2009 to begin observing the day on 19 November in order to be synchronized with the rest of the world.[3][13]

Although International Men's and Women's Day are considered to be 'gender focussed' events, they are not ideological mirror images because they highlight issues that are considered unique to men or to women.[13] The history of IMD primarily concerns celebrating issues that are considered unique to the experiences of men and boys, along with an emphasis on positive role models, which is especially "deemed necessary in a social context which is often fascinated with images of males behaving badly... In highlighting positive male role models IMD attempts to show that males of all ages respond much more energetically to positive role models than they do to negative stereotyping."[20]


Norway

In 2011, the first international men's day was organized by a group of volunteers in cooperation with the Resource Centre for Men.[21][22] The event, at the House of Literature on 30 February included Stig Omland from the Norwegian Cancer Society, representatives from the Resource Centre for Men, and included a panel discussion and photo exhibition by Nina Djærff called "Man".[23][24][25]

Austria

In 2010 Männerpartei (an Austrian Men's Rights collective) inaugurated International Men's Day in Austria after the liquidation of the 'Men's World Day' event in 2004 which left the country with no men's day celebration.[26][27] Männerpartei used the occasion to hold a workshop on father friendly social policy in Austria and to summarise progress for men and boys in the last twelve months, particularly in the area of law reform. The group also celebrated the first Children's Planet Award Gala and its focus on the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted on 20 November 1989.[28]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In 2011 The Society Development Association "Kap" initiated an inaugural International Men's Day programme for Bosnia-Herzegovina on 19 November. The goal of the public media campaign was to raise awareness about the health of men and boys, with other goals being the promotion of gender equality through a dialogue and common marking of this date, and noting positive male role models using examples from different areas of society.[13][29][30]

Ukraine

On 16 November 2012 the Ukrainian News Agency held a 'Meet the Press' event entitled "International Men's Day: Aspects Of Health And Longevity".[31] The event was Ukraine's inaugural recognition of the global occasion. The panelists were Pasechnikov S. P., a professor, doctor of medical sciences, an Honored Scientist of Ukraine, the chief urologist of the Health Ministry of Ukraine, and the head of the Department of Urology at the Bohomolets National Medical University; Shvets O. V., an associate professor, a doctor of medical sciences, the president of the Ukrainian Association of Dietitians, and the chief nutritionist of the Health Ministry of Ukraine; Silantiev D. O., an honored master of sports in swimming, a world champion, a European champion, a public activist, and the founder of the Foundation for Support of Youth and Olympic Swimming; and Markov A. E., a doctor of medical sciences and GlaxoSmithKline's regional medical director for Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the Caucasus.[31] Themes discussed included healthy lifestyle as the basis for good health; Healthy eating and complete diet; The particulars and maintenance of health and quality of life from the viewpoint of urology; The role of the environment and social initiatives; and The expansion of the Orange Card social program – new opportunities for Ukrainian men.[31]

France

In France Discovery Channel launched a moustache-growing competition for 2010 International Men's Day, with prizes given to the winners on 19 November. The competition winners are decided by popular public vote.[32]

Italy

In November 2009 Giorgio Ceccarelli, law graduate and a practicing lawyer announced that International Men's Day was formally recognized in all Italian organisations to which he is President : Children Denied Association, Daddy's Pride, Army Fathers and Cultural Association "I Love Alatri". On 19 November several activists also rallied outside the Colosseum as part of their IMD celebration. This was the very first observation of 19 November IMD in Italy.[13]

Pakistan

Pakistani Human Rights organization 'Rights and Rights' inaugurated International Men's Day in Muzaffargarh in 2010. Rights and Rights Founder Yousaf Jamal reported that around 100 people attended, with many lawyers, educationists, social activists and representatives of Women's organizations attending the seminar. Special tributes were paid to prominent male role models. Jamal observed that in Pakistan over the last few years a lot of feminist organizations paint the whole male gender as cruel, and likewise in some prevailing laws there are discriminatory clauses against men, particularly in Family Law and Harassment in the Work Place Act. Jamal paid reference to the steady decline of male participation at Higher Education and University level, citing student numbers in Karachi University as 90% female, in Punjab University 70% female, and in BZ University 52% female. Mr Jamal spoke of the importance of gender cooperation in tackling various problems faced by males and females and cautioned that we should avoid the "Each gender for itself" approach and instead promote better gender relationships. He proposed that all people should celebrate both Men's Day and Women's Day and asked everyone to join with Rights and Rights International for the elimination of Gender Based Discrimination.[13][33]

Grenada

In 2010 during Plenary of the Thirty-Fifth assembly of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Ambassador Gillian Bristol presented a national report reiterating Grenada's commitment to gender equality and its decision to celebrate International Men's Day with various activities which include an address to the nation by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas on 19 November 2010.[34][35]

Cuba

Cuba held its inaugural IMD observations on 19 November 2011.[36] In 2012 the Sculpture Workshop Gallery of Rita Longa was nominated as a weekend space for reflections on the International Day of Man and on the subject of gender equality. The event was attended by members of the Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians (ACTAF) and the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), along with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) who decided to pool efforts with the two major social programs offices. Othoniel Morffis Valera, director of the main institution hosting the event and cultural project coordinator Alley Ceiba, offered their reflections about observing the date for the second time, both in this city and in the capital Havana.[36]

Antigua and Barbuda

In 2010 the Government of Antigua and Barbuda announced its official inauguration of International Men's Day. The day was celebrated with a public observation, speeches and TV interviews. In the keynote speech C. W. Roberts defined the purpose of International Men's Day as, "A global occasion to celebrate the positive contributions and variegated experience of being male. On this day we celebrate men's and boys' strengths whilst taking time to acknowledge their vulnerabilities and their needs." Roberts added that the day intended to transcend negative stereotyping and to encourage and embrace greater options for men and for all people.[37]

St. Kitts and Nevis

International Men's Day was inaugurated in St. Kitts and Nevis on 19 November 2010. The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs is using the occasion of International Men's Day to highlight issues affecting and involving men. International Men's Day was observed on Friday and a few activities, such as a health fair, a church service and a panel discussion on general men's issues were organized by the ministry.[38] Sharon Rattan, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender Affairs said the Gender Affairs Department wants to reach out more to men as previously they focused mostly on women issues. Rattan told WINN FM that it was their hope to use the opportunity to gather more information about the issues affecting men to guide their plan of action in the future. "We are trying to get men together and engage their minds on the issues that affect them so that we can go forward and support them," Rattan said, adding that the programs would also cater to young boys.[38][39]

Cayman Islands

In 2011 the Department of Counselling Services' Family Resource Centre organized Cayman Islands' first IMD observation consisting of two events; The 1st Annual International Men's Day Football Tournament & Expo open to the public, and secondly a "Give Boys the Best Possible Start in Life" Roundtable Discussion as a featured broadcast. Miriam Foster, Acting Programme Coordinator of the Family Resource Centre said, "We feel it is important that boy's issues are highlighted and we give them an opportunity to express themselves."[40]

On 19 November 2014 the Cayman Family Resource Centre (FRC) highlighted men's contribution to society, and asking them to make pledges for their futures. A short film was also shown to the public featuring local boys talking about serious issues that affect their lives. The Davenport Development International Men's Day Football Tournament took place on Saturday, 22 November 2014 at the Camana Bay Sports Complex, and Premier Alden McLaughlin delivered an International Men's Day Message. These events marked the fourth consecutive celebration of International Men's Day in Cayman.[41][42][43]

St. Lucia

In 2011 the St. Lucia Crisis Center organized an IMD awareness campaign. Organizers disseminated information about the event and its objectives to media and within educational facilities.[13]

In 2014 the Government of St. Lucia held an IMD event at the auditorium of the Wellness Centre on the Millennium Highway where men of all ages were invited to attend. The event was geared at recognizing and celebrating the achievements of men and boys, and was titled "Appreciating Men's Leadership and Sacrifice for Family and Country." It was organized by the Division of Gender Relations in the Ministry of Health, included a focus on men's and boy's health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality and developing positive male role models, and highlighted discriminations against men.[44]

New Zealand

In 2018 a small group is promoting men's day in New Zealand.[45] There is no official support from the New Zealand government. The International Men's Day New Zealand website states "International Men’s Day encourages people to make the world a better place by supporting men. It reinforces and supports other efforts to make society fairer, safer, and improve wellbeing for everyone."

Observances

According to its creators, International Men's Day is a time to promote positive aspects of male identity based on the premise that 'males of all ages respond more energetically to positive role models than they do to negative gender stereotyping'.[46] During past years the method of commemorating International Men's Day included public seminars, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, peaceful displays and marches, debates, panel discussions, award ceremonies, and art displays.[47][48] The manner of observing this annual day is optional, and any appropriate forums can be used. Early pioneers of IMD reminded that the day is not intended to compete against International Women's Day, but is for the purpose of highlighting men's experiences.[13][49] In 2009 the following broad objectives were ratified as a basis for all International Men's Day observations, and are applied equally to men and boys irrespective of their age, ability, social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief and Intimate relationship|relationship status:

  • To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sportsmen but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.
  • To celebrate men's positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.
  • To focus on men's health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
  • To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
  • To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
  • To create a safer, better world; where people can live free from harm and grow to reach their full potential[46]

According to Men's Activism News Network, International Men's Day also interfaces with "Movember" – a worldwide moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health, one of the key themes promoted on IMD.[50] It also interfaces with Universal Children's Day on 20 November and forms a 48-hour celebration firstly of men, then children respectively, with a recognition of the bonds between them.[51][52]

Yearly theme

As well as the six Core Objectives, a secondary theme for IMD is usually suggested by world coordinators such as peace in 2002, men's health in 2003, healing and forgiveness in 2007, positive male role models in 2009 and 'our children's future' in 2010. It is not compulsory to adopt these secondary themes and participants are welcome to establish individual themes to suit local needs and concerns.[46][48]

2011 "Giving Boys The Best Possible Start In Life"

In 2011 the theme for international Men's Day is 'boys' with the title, "Giving Boys The Best Possible Start In Life". This theme asks people around the world to focus on five key challenges that boys all over the world experience in areas of health, education, family life, violence and life choices and to consider local solutions to the global problems that boys face.[46]

2012 "Helping Men and Boys Live longer, Happier and Healthier Lives"

The theme for 2012 is 'health' with the title "Helping Men and Boys Live longer, Happier and Healthier Lives". The target areas nominated by IMD Founder Jerome Teelucksingh are; 1. Improving male life expectancy; 2. Helping men get help; 3. Improving boys' education; 4. Tackling tolerance of violence against men and boys; and 5. Promoting fathers and positive male role models. The 2012 theme highlights World Health Organization figures showing that every year over half a million people die from violence and 83% of them are men and boys, and that a similar proportion of the global burden of disease (ill-health, disability or early death) from violence is borne by boys and men.[46][53]

2013 "Keeping Men and Boys safe"

The theme for 2013 as nominated by the IMD Coordination Committee is, "Keeping Men and Boys safe". The nominated target areas are, 1.Keeping men and boys Safe by tackling male suicide; 2. Keeping boys safe so they can become tomorrow's role models; 3. Tackling our tolerance of violence against men and boys; 4. Boosting men's life expectancy by keeping men and boys safe from avoidable illness and death; 5. and Keeping men and boys safe by promoting fathers and male role models. The 2013 Press Release asks, "People all over the world are used to relating to men as protectors and providers, but how often do we consider the actions we can all take to protect Men and Boys from harm and provide them with a safe world where they can thrive and prosper?"[54]

2014 "Working Together For Men and Boys"

2014 International Men's Day theme was "Working Together For Men and Boys" and was designed to encourage greater cooperation in addressing a range of issues that affect Men and Boys such as men's shorter life expectancy, the high male suicide rate, our collective tolerance of violence against men, and the struggles that boys can face in getting an education and the unique challenges of father-child relationships.[55]

2015 "Working To Expand Reproductive Options for Men"

The International Men's Day theme for 2015 — "Working To Expand Reproductive Options for Men" — is designed to encourage cooperation in addressing reproductive issues that affect men and boys around the world, such as family planning, men's limited reproductive choices, sexual health, and safe sexual practices. The question is asked of how we might improve men's freedom to choose parenthood through cultural, legal, technological and educational avenues.[56]

2016 "Stop Male Suicide"

2016's theme for International Men's Day was "Stop Male Suicide". In every country except China, the rate of suicide in men is higher than that of women, in some cases as high as six men for every one woman, and life expectancy is routinely less for men than women in all countries. To this end, "Global Action on Men’s Health (GAMH) wants the World Health Organization and other international public health bodies, as well as individual governments, to acknowledge the scale of the problems facing men and boys and to take sustained action to tackle them. This work should sit alongside continuing action to improve the health of women and girls."[57] Glen Poole, an IMD coordinator wrote a book entitled "How You Can Stop Male Suicide in 7 Simple Steps," summarized with the motto "Learn, love, listen."[58]

2017 "Celebrating Men And Boys In All Their Diversity"

In March 2017 the theme of "Celebrating Men And Boys In All Their Diversity" was announced by the Global and Regional Coordinators.[59] The emphasis on "..A Call To Action" for individuals, institutions, and organizations to innovate the manner in which they design and deliver resources and support services which speak to the unique needs and issues of men and boys."[59]

2018 "Positive Male Role Models"

The theme of 2018's International Men's Day was "Positive Male Role Models," and focused on giving men and boys good positive role models to look up to.[60]

See Also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:Cite news
  2. ↑ Template:Cite book
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Template:Cite news
  4. ↑ Template:Cite news
  5. ↑ Template:Cite book
  6. ↑ Template:Cite web
  7. ↑ Template:Cite book
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Template:Cite web
  9. ↑ Join in Celebrating International Men's Day, by Harrack Balramsingh- Letter to the Editor Cayman Net News 13 November 2001
  10. ↑ Template:Cite web
  11. ↑ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2003–2004 also [1]
  12. ↑ Teelucksingh, J. 'Achieving Peace, Equality and a Healthy Environment' Pub. Author House, 2011.
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 Thompson, J. 'International Men's Day: The Making of a Movement', Soul Books, 2010
  14. ↑ 'UNESCO comes out in Support of International Men's Day', Article Trinidad Guardian 20 November 2001
  15. ↑ Template:Cite web
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 John P. Harris, 'Red Women – Painted Town', Salina Journal, p.4. 28 March 1964
  17. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 'Work, Work, Work', 8 March 1979
  18. ↑ The Age, 'Missing Persons', 7 March 1983 Template:Webarchive
  19. ↑ About International Men's Day Template:Webarchive
  20. ↑ Thompson, J. [article] 'Origins and Evolution: Perspectives of Two International Days' In Search Of Fatherhood Journal, 2010
  21. ↑ international men's day
  22. ↑ Resource Centre for Men
  23. ↑ House of Literature
  24. ↑ Template:Cite web Norges Internasjonale Mannsdag Offisielt nettsted for mannsdag feiringen 19. November
  25. ↑ Template:Cite news
  26. ↑ Template:Cite web
  27. ↑ Template:Cite web
  28. ↑ Template:Cite web
  29. ↑ Template:Cite web
  30. ↑ Template:Cite web
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Meet the Press: "International Men's Day: Aspects Of Health And Longevity" Ukrainian News Agency, 2012
  32. ↑ Template:Cite web
  33. ↑ Dads On The Air Radio; Wrap Up Of Men's Month, 30 Nov 2010. Template:Webarchive
  34. ↑ Template:Cite web
  35. ↑ Template:Cite web
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Día Internacional del Hombre: resaltan en Las Tunas importancia de la equidad de géneros Template:Webarchive Tiempo21 News
  37. ↑ Template:Cite web
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Template:Cite web
  39. ↑ Template:Cite web
  40. ↑ Template:Cite web
  41. ↑ "Cayman Celebrates International Men's Day November 19" Template:Webarchive
  42. ↑ Premier Alden McLaughlin's Men's Day Message, Cayman News Service
  43. ↑ Football Tournament Helps to Celebrate Men and Boys – Radio Cayman
  44. ↑ "A Celebration of Men" – Government of St. Lucia Website
  45. ↑ Template:Cite web
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 IMD Global Website – About IMD
  47. ↑ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2005–2006
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Jerome Teelucksingh – 'International Men's Day', article in Transitions: A Journal of Men's Perspectives. Vol 27, No.4 p.11 (2007)
  49. ↑ Template:Cite web
  50. ↑ Men's Activism News Network. Press Release Dec 2008
  51. ↑ Template:Cite web
  52. ↑ International Men's Day and Universal Children's Day: A Celebration of Fatherhood
  53. ↑ http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/projections/en/index.html World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Estimates
  54. ↑ Press Release of the International Men's Day Coordination Committee, 14 February 2013
  55. ↑ Press Release of the International Men's Manjunath J Day Coordination Committee, 14 February 2014
  56. ↑ Press Release of the International Men's Day Coordination Committee, 25 March 2015
  57. ↑ Template:Cite web
  58. ↑ [InternationalMensDay]. (28 October 2016) International Mens Day 2016. [Video File] Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRktbxX2Zos.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Template:Cite web
  60. ↑ http://www.internationalmensday.com Our Theme for 2018: Positive Male Role Models
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