Difference between revisions of "International Men's Day"

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[[File:GQtL4n WEAAlQWQ.jpeg|thumb|[[Meme]] by [[Pro-Male Memes]] talking about the [[United Nations]].]]
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'''International Men's Day''' ('''IMD''') is an annual international event celebrated on 19 November. Inaugurated in 1992 on 7 February by Thomas Oaster,<ref name="IMD-History-kansas-stream-1991-92">{{Cite news|url=http://internationalmensday.co/kansas-stream-1991-92/|title=International Men's Day Global Website, Historical Archives, ‘Kansas Stream’ 1991–92|last=|first=|date=17 November 2014|work=International Men's Day – History|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041647/http://internationalmensday.co/kansas-stream-1991-92/|archive-date=29 November 2014|dead-url=|ref=IMD-History-KansasStream}}</ref> the project of International Men's Day was conceived one year earlier on 8 February 1991.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://international-mens-day.com:80/Kasnsas_stream_archive.php|title=International Men's Day R.S.V.P., Experience Education and Culture for Men and Women|last=Oaster|first=Tom|publisher=|year=1992|isbn=0943025397|location=USA|pages=|ref=IMDRSVP-Oaster-Book-1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024043/http://international-mens-day.com/Kasnsas_stream_archive.php|archive-date=10 November 2010|deadurl=yes}}</ref> The celebration was restarted in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1999.<ref name="Caribbean Stream">{{Cite news|url=http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-99-00/|title=International Men's Day Global Website, Historical Archives, ‘Caribbean Stream’ 99-00|last=|first=|date=5 December 2014|work=International Men's Day|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173213/http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-99-00/|archive-date=7 December 2014|dead-url=|ref=IMD-History-Caribbean-Stream-99-00}}</ref> The longest running celebration of International Men's Day is Malta, where events have occurred since 7 February 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://internationalmensday.co/malta-south-africa/|title=International Men's Day Global Website, Historical Archives, Malta & South Africa|last=|first=|date=5 December 2014|work=International Men's Day|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173715/http://internationalmensday.co/malta-south-africa/|archive-date=7 December 2014|dead-url=|ref=IMD-History-MaltaAfrica}}</ref> In 2012 the United Nations designated November 19 as ''World Toilet Day''.
  
   
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'''International Men's Day''' ('''IMD''') is an annual international event celebrated on 19 November. Inaugurated in 1992 on 7 February by Thomas Oaster,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041647/http://internationalmensday.co/kansas-stream-1991-92/</ref> the project of International Men's Day was conceived one year earlier on 8 February 1991.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024043/http://international-mens-day.com/Kasnsas_stream_archive.php</ref> The celebration was restarted in Trinidad and Tobago on 19 November 1999.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173213/http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-99-00/</ref> The longest running celebration of International Men's Day is Malta, where events have occurred since 7 February 1994.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173715/http://internationalmensday.co/malta-south-africa/</ref> In 2012 the United Nations designated 19 November as ''World Toilet Day''.
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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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC|title=Achieving peace, equality and a healthy environment|last=Dr. Teelucksingh|first=Jerome|publisher=AuthorHouse|year=2011|isbn=9781463442170|location=|pages=xi-xii|ref=Teelucksingh-book-2011-pages-xi-xii}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://international-mens-day.com:80/Caribbean_stream_1.php|title=2008 Interview with Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh by Jason Thompson:|last=Thompson|first=Jason|date=2008|website=INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY GLOBAL WEBSITE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024029/http://international-mens-day.com/Caribbean_stream_1.php|archive-date=10 November 2010|dead-url=yes|access-date=|ref=Teeluksingh-2008-Interview}}</ref> 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"<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC|title=Achieving peace, equality and a healthy environment|last=Teelucksingh|first=Jerome|publisher=AuthorHouse|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4634-4217-0|location=|pages=xi-xii|ref=Teelucksingh-book-2011-pages-xi-xii}}</ref>
  
   
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[[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.<ref>https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024029/http://international-mens-day.com/Caribbean_stream_1.php</ref> 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"<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC</ref>
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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.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/a/imd-global.org/international-mens-day/about-imd|title=About International Mens Day International Mens Day is founded upon 6 pillars|last=|first=|date=|website=International Men's Day Global Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130221119/http://imd-global.org/|archive-date=30 November 2012|dead-url=yes|access-date=10 November 2017|ref=}}</ref><ref>Join in Celebrating International Men's Day, by Harrack Balramsingh- Letter to the Editor Cayman Net News 13 November 2001</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=519291 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317022518/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=519291 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=17 March 2008 |title=International Men's Day on Nov 19 to highlight plight of men, (2007) |publisher=Outlook India |accessdate=20 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-03-04/ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2003–2004] also [http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-05-06/]</ref> The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values.<ref>Teelucksingh, J. 'Achieving Peace, Equality and a Healthy Environment' Pub. Author House, 2011.</ref><ref name="Thompson"/>
  
   
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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.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20121130221119/http://imd-global.org/</ref> 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.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080317022518/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=519291</ref><ref>http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-03-04/</ref> The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values.
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International Men's Day is celebrated in over 80 countries,<ref name="ReferenceB"/> on 19 November, and global support for the celebration is broad.<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="Caribbean Stream" /> 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.<ref name="UNESCO">'UNESCO comes out in Support of International Men's Day', Article Trinidad Guardian 20 November 2001</ref>
 
   
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International Men's Day is celebrated in over 80 countries, on 19 November, and global support for the celebration is broad. 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.
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==History==
  
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===Early background===
  
   
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== Countries ==
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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"<ref>{{cite web|author=BERNARD GWERTZMAN |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/02/24/archives/armed-forces-day-in-soviet-marked-by-rhetoric-and-parties.html |title=Armed Forces Day in Soviet Marked by Rhetoric and Parties; Article, (February 24, 1969) in New York Times |publisher=Select.nytimes.com |date=24 February 1969 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
   
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International Men's Day has been celebrated in a variety of countries:
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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."<ref name="Harris">John P. Harris, 'Red Women – Painted Town', Salina Journal, p.4. 28 March 1964</ref> 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."<ref name="Harris"/> 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,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=gL9scSG3K_gC&dat=19790308&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 'Work, Work, Work', 8 March 1979]</ref><ref name="imd11">[http://internationalmensday.co/pre-1990-documents/ The Age, 'Missing Persons', 7 March 1983] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417041155/http://internationalmensday.co/pre-1990-documents/ |date=17 April 2017}}</ref> at which time the first attempts at inaugurating international Men's Day are recorded.<ref name="Thompson">Thompson, J. 'International Men's Day: The Making of a Movement', Soul Books, 2010</ref>
  
   
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*[[International Men's Day (Antigua and Barbuda)|Antigua and Barbuda]]
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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.<ref name="IMD-History-kansas-stream-1991-92" /> 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.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/about-international-mens-day/ About International Men's Day] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317232919/http://internationalmensday.co/about-international-mens-day/ |date=17 March 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/> 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.<ref name="Caribbean Stream"/><ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Austria)|Austria]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Australia)|Australia]]
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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.<ref name="Thompson"/> 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."<ref>Thompson, J. [article] 'Origins and Evolution: Perspectives of Two International Days' In Search Of Fatherhood Journal, 2010</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Bosnia & Herzegovina)|Bosnia & Herzegovina]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Botswana)|Botswana]]
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===Trinidad and Tobago===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Burundi)|Burundi]]
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Citizens in Trinidad and Tobago were the first to observe IMD on 19 November 1999. The event was conceived and coordinated by [[Jerome Teelucksingh]] from The University of the West Indies at the Families in Action headquarters in Newtown, Port of Spain. As his rationale for creating the event Teelucksingh stated, "I realized there was no day for men... some have said that there is Father's Day, but what about young boys, teenagers and men who are not fathers?"<ref name="Thompson"/> Teelucksingh, understanding the importance of celebrating good male role models, felt that his own father had been an example of an excellent role model and so chose 19 November partly because this was his father's birthday, and also because it was the date on which a local sporting team in his country created a level of unity with transcended gender, religious and ethnic divisions.<ref>Teelucksingh, J. 'Achieving Peace, Equality and a Healthy Environment, Published 2011 by Author House</ref> The idea of celebrating an International Men's Day received written support from officials in UNESCO and the event has continued to be celebrated annually in Trinidad and Tobago and other countries since its beginning.<ref name="Caribbean Stream"/><ref>'Tomorrow is International Men's Day', 18 Nov (2000) ''Newsday'' article</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/cbtt/specialarticles.html |title=International Men's Day observed for the 4th consecutive year in TT |publisher=Members.tripod.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2007-11-29/features6.html "Addicts need treatment, not jail"] ''The Trinidad Guardian'' 29 November 2007 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Canada)|Canada]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Cayman Islands)|Cayman Islands]]
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===Jamaica===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (China)|China]]
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Jamaicans held an inaugural IMD observation on 19 November 2001, with a church service at Northgate Family Church in Ocho Rios, an educational session with male students at Ferncourt High School, and public forum at Brown's Town Community College. Keynote speaker at the event was Luciano who talked on the theme of 'Today's Man, Tomorrow's Future'. A special theme of the event was discussions on ''men's sexual health and reproduction''. Nurse Bunnaman of the Beth Jacobs Family Planning Clinic in St. Ann's Bay told The Star Newspaper "This is the first time that Jamaica will be observing International Men's Day. It was started in Trinidad in 1999. This year it will be observed in Kenya, Tanzania, Norway, Brazil, Germany, Britain and the United States of America as well".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20011119/star/star2.html |title=Luciano to speak at International Men's Day function, Article in the Jamaica Gleaner, p.5 Nov 19 2001 |publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com |date=19 November 2001 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104222642/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20011119/star/star2.html |archivedate=4 November 2011 }}</ref> Educational sessions about men's sexual health and reproduction were held the Beth Jacobs Clinic, where medical check-ups and testicular checks were given free of charge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20011119/star/star2.html |title=Luciano to speak at International Men's Day function, Article in the Jamaica Gleaner Nov 19 2001 |publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com |date=19 November 2001 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104222642/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20011119/star/star2.html |archivedate=4 November 2011 }}</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Colombia)|Colombia]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Cuba)|Cuba]]
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===Australia===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Denmark)|Denmark]]
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Australians have celebrated IMD on 19 November since 2003,<ref name="Thompson"/> when Phil Gouldson of Men's Health and Wellbeing Association ACT (MHWA) launched the inaugural event after receiving an invitation by Trinidad and Tobago's Harrack Balramsingh to join in the event.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/ IMD Global Website – Caribbean Stream-03-04]</ref> In Canberra, 2004, Gouldson asked men in Australia to wear a red rose for IMD and for women and families to buy the men in their life flowers. He said a red rose is worn by men on IMD as a symbol of strength of character and courage, and as it is unusual to see men being given flowers so it is a good way to highlight the occasion.<ref>Article- 'Manly respect blooms if you give those blokes a rose', ''The Canberra Times'', 19 November 2004</ref> In 2004, Michael Flood, an academic, criticized the basis of the 'Men's Health and Wellbeing Association' (MHWA)'s IMD celebration which focused on men's health, arguing that there were already enough opportunities to work on men's health and fatherhood (citing Father's Day and Men's Health Week).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xyonline.net/sites/default/files/International_Mens_Day.pdf |title=Flood, M., (2004) International Men's Day: An open letter of rejection. |format=PDF |accessdate=20 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926230930/http://www.xyonline.net/sites/default/files/International_Mens_Day.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2011 |dead-url=yes |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Gouldson responded, reminding that "Not all men and boys are fathers, while Men's Health Week focuses on claimed inadequacies of men in not better managing their health."<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-03-04/ Men's Health and Wellbeing Association – response to Michael Flood]</ref> Teelucksingh independently highlighted the need to address the needs of young boys, teenagers and men who are not fathers, which was one of his primary purposes for establishing International Men's Day.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (France)|France]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Grenada)|Grenada]]
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In 2008 Dads4Kids Organization highlighted the theme 'honour and sacrifice', pointing to the sinking of the cruiser HMAS Sydney (1934) on 19 November during the Second World War which resulted in the death of 645 men off the coast of Geraldton in Western Australia.<ref name="Dads4Kids">{{cite web|url=http://www.internationalmensday.com/ |title=Dads4Kids Organization Australia |publisher=Internationalmensday.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> Organisers said, "men make sacrifices every day in their place of work, in their role as husbands and fathers, for their families, for their friends, for their communities and for their nation."<ref name="Dads4Kids"/>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (India)|India]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Ireland)|Ireland]]
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In 2009, a number of events were held throughout Australia including IMD initiatives organized by four local governments: Maitland City Council in N.S.W., Greater Hume Shire Council in Victoria, Ipswich City Council in Queensland, and Forbes Shire Council in N.S.W. each of whom funded local observations. These were the first government bodies in Australia to fund and host community IMD events.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Briony Snedden |url=http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/mens-day-an-aussie-first/1675235.aspx |title=Men's Day an Aussie first Maitland Mercury News |publisher=Maitlandmercury.com.au |date=12 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007175552/http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/mens-day-an-aussie-first/1675235.aspx |archivedate=7 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au/Files/novemberpage1.jpg Hume City Council Libraries: Whats on in 9 November] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222731/http://www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au/Files/novemberpage1.jpg |date=22 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Blake Nicholson |url=http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/men-celebrate-on-their-day/1681912.aspx |title=Men celebrate on their day Forbes Advocate |publisher=Forbesadvocate.com.au |date=19 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821223107/http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/men-celebrate-on-their-day/1681912.aspx |archivedate=21 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/3710.html Forbes Shire Council – International Men's Day] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215115148/http://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/3710.html |date=15 December 2009 }}</ref> In the State Parliament of Western Australia Minister Nick Goiran gave a speech introducing International Men's Day and its objectives to the parliament, focussing on the promotion of gender equality and the importance of highlighting positive male role models.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/95352e60fdff3b35c82576800013efcc/$FILE/C38%20S1%2020091119%20p9413b-9416a.pdf |title=Extract from WA State Parliament Hansard, p9413b-9416a (19 November 2009) |format=PDF |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> There was also an event held in the Federal Australian Parliament House with several notable speakers.<ref name="Thompson"/> Numerous other organisations hosted observations including the Men's Shed Steering Committee in Rockhampton, Queensland, the Community Resource center in Ulladulla, the Regional Health Service in KooWeeRup, and ''Dads on the Air'' radio programme in Sydney which hosted an hour-long programme discussing IMD with a panel of international coordinators of the event.<ref name="Dads4Kids"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2009/11/mens-shed-.html |title=Rockhampton Men's Shed Committee hosts IMD event, ABC Radio with Jacquie Mackay |publisher=Blogs.abc.net.au |date=19 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123143/http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2009/11/mens-shed-.html |archivedate=6 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Story And Photo: Stuart Carless |url=http://www.ulladullatimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/seven-men-recognised-for-their-contribution-to-the-community/1687608.aspx |title=Seven men recognised for their contribution to the community, ''Ulladulla Times'', Nov 2009 |publisher=Ulladullatimes.com.au |date=25 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107194158/http://www.ulladullatimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/seven-men-recognised-for-their-contribution-to-the-community/1687608.aspx |archivedate=7 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dadsontheair.net/shows/international-mens-day-special.html International Men's Day Special, DOTA Radio 16 Nov 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126090912/http://www.dadsontheair.net/shows/international-mens-day-special.html |date=26 November 2009 }}</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Isle of Man)|Isle of Man]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Italy)|Italy]]
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In honour of men and boys on the occasion of IMD 2014, Liz Behjat addressed the Western Australian Legislative Council on the topic of men's lives and issues.<ref>[http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/hansard/hansard.nsf/%28HansardSearchDesc%29?SearchView&Query=&#91;Form&#93;%20=%20%28HAN%29%20AND%20%28&#91;Han_Member&#93;=%28%22behjat,hon%20liz%22%29or%28%22behjat,%20hon%20liz%22%29%29&SearchOrder=4&SearchWV=FALSE&SearchFuzzy=FALSE&Start=1 West Australian Parliament Hansard of The Hon. Liz Behjat MLC speech on International Men's Day, 20/Nov/2014 – p8456-8464]</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Ghana)|Ghana]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Hungary)|Hungary]]
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===India===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Jamaica)|Jamaica]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Malta)|Malta]]
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The inaugural celebration of IMD in India was organized by the leading Indian Men's rights organization [http://www.saveindianfamily.in/ Save Indian Family] on 19 November 2007.<ref>8 March to be International Men's day : Hindustan Times News, (article) 2007</ref> The date of 19 November was accepted based on the fact that Australia and the West Indies (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago) were already observing IMD on that date. The event was again celebrated in India in 2008, and plans have been made to continue the celebration annually.<ref>International Men's Day – 19 November 2008, Press Release of Save the Indian Family, Thursday, 13 November 2008</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (New Zealand)|New Zealand]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Norway)|Norway]]
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In 2009, India received the first corporate sponsorship of the International Men's Day with menswear brand Allen Solly deciding to create promotional offers on IMD, and HBO deciding to screen male-positive movies in its "Men in Back" series on 19 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/apparel-brand-promotes-international-mens-day-news-national-jlts9mighdg.html |title=Apparel brand promotes International Men's Day ''SIFY NEWS'' |publisher=Sify.com |date=19 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Pakistan)|Pakistan]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Romania)|Romania]]
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In November 2014 Confidare Education Consultancy hosted an International Men's Day Art Gallery in New Delhi,<ref>[http://allevents.in/new%20delhi/international-mens-day-art-gallery/569259543203002# International Men's Day Art Gallery, New Delhi, 2014]</ref> while in Kolkata protests were held to highlight elder abuse and men's human rights.<ref>[http://www.newswala.com/India-National-News/Activists-protest-on-the-eve-of-International-Mens-Day-in-Kolkata-105177.html 'Activists protest on the eve of International Men's Day in Kolkata,' NewsWala: The Hyderabad Deccan English Daily ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209114943/http://www.newswala.com/India-National-News/Activists-protest-on-the-eve-of-International-Mens-Day-in-Kolkata-105177.html |date=9 December 2014 }}</ref> Other men's rights activists posed questions on the occasion of IMD, asking why are men deprived of gender neutral laws, why should not the domestic violence act be made gender neutral, and why are fathers deprived of children's custody in case of separated spouses.<ref>[http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/men-too-need-gender-equality-activists-nov-19-is-international-mens-day-1809635.html "Men too need gender equality: Activists (Nov 19 is International Men's Day)"]</ref> The Chennai Chapter of All India Men's Welfare Association (AIMWA) submitted a memorandum to the government on IMD 2014 demanding constitution of Men's Welfare Ministry, National Commission for Men, and making all laws gender neutral.<ref>[http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Giving-Men-a-Fair-Chance/2014/11/19/article2529826.ece 'Giving Men a Fair Chance,' The New Indian Express]</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Seychelles)|Seychelles]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Singapore)|Singapore]]
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In 19 November 2018, Avijan (a welfare and charitable trust for men) has made a massive protest in Kolkata, which covers by many press and media. Their demand is to create gender neutral law, to create men’s commission in India, change of draconian law section 498A, take strong action against who misuse the rape law, and discrimination against men. <ref>[https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/west-bengal-news/kolkata-news/kolkata-men-will-join-a-rally-to-secure-their-rights-on-international-mens-day/articleshow/66614826.cms 'Kolkata Men and Women Join Rally to secure men's right,' Indiatimes Eisamay]</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (South Africa)|South Africa]]
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*[[International Men's Day (St. Kitts and Nevis)|St. Kitts and Nevis]]
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===China===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (St. Lucia)|St. Lucia]]
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In 2003, a fashion magazine proposed 3 August as the International Men's day, corresponding to the International Women's day held on 8 March. The magazine claimed to have submitted a proposal to UNESCO. Ever since then, the topic about "Men's Day" has been discussed every August on the Internet.<ref name="中国男人节">{{cite web|author1=谷岳飞|title=男人太累该歇歇了? 网友呼吁设八三男人节|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/internet/2010-08/03/c_12402823_3.htm|website=news.xinhuanet.com|publisher=新华网|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806032607/http://news.xinhuanet.com/internet/2010-08/03/c_12402823_3.htm|archivedate=6 August 2010}}</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Tanzania)|Tanzania]]
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*[[International Men's Day (Trinidad & Tobago)|Trinidad & Tobago]]
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In Hong Kong in 2010 special observances of International Men's Day occurred on 19 November, with the theme "Blessed Are The Men". All men were invited to ride for free in the city's Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung cable cars for a round-trip on 19 November.<ref name="China">{{cite web|url=http://www.international-mens-day.com/China.php |title=Archived copy |accessdate=6 June 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512143939/http://www.international-mens-day.com/China.php |archivedate=12 May 2011 }} International Men's Day Global Website – China</ref> In the same year an article in ''China Daily'' on 3 August asked whether men in China needed their own special day, citing the fact that on International Women's Day all women in China, who accounted for 45 percent of the workforce, get a mandatory half day off by their employer while men had no such day. The article reported on an online survey done by Shanghai Hotline asking "Do men need a holiday for themselves?" – to which 80.24 percent of respondents said "yes" with many insisting that Shanghai men are tired and deserve a holiday.<ref name="China"/><ref>Do Shanghai men need their own special day?, China Daily, 3 August 2010</ref>
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Ukraine)|Ukraine]]
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*[[International Men's Day (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom]]
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===Colombia===
  
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*[[International Men's Day (United States|United States]]
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In Colombia is celebrated on March 19 for the Day of Saint Joseph, father of Jesus. St. Joseph's Day in other countries is celebrated as Father's Day.
  
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*[[International Men's Day (Zimbabwe)|Zimbabwe]]
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===United States===
  
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The following states and cities have recognized International Men's Day: Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa (Luther College in Decorah, Iowa), Illinois, Virginia, Hawaii, Florida, California, Arizona, Alabama, and Michigan; Washington, D.C.; Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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2012 International Men's Day was celebrated during the weeks before the observance of 2012 International Men's Day on 12 October 2012. Twala unveiled a ten-year plan for International Men's Day, known as the "2012–2022: International Men's Day Ten Year Plan" which will tackle, over a ten-year period, the key challenges of education, physical and mental health, violence, fatherhood, positive male role models, and real-life options which prevent boys and young men from maturing into purpose-driven, productive, and successful adults. After reviewing the concept for this plan created by Twala, a general consensus was reached among coordinators in the United States for International Men's Day to adopt and develop this plan in the United States. The US 2012–2022 International Men's Day Ten Year Plan Committee has been established and members who are regional coordinators for International Men's Day in the United States are working on developing and implementing the plan.
  
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===United Kingdom===
  
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In the UK, International Men's Day is coordinated by Glen Poole (editor of ''insideMAN magazine'') with support from Mark Brooks (Chair of the [[ManKind Initiative]]) domestic abuse charity and Tony Stott (Healing-Men).
  
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In 2014, over 25 organisations held events across the UK – including two in the House of Commons. This was continued in 2015 where Philip Davies MP introduced a debate in the Palace of Westminster about men's issues on 19 November.<ref name=debate2015>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj9iKTJAd2M |title=19 November 2015: Philip Davies MP introduces a debate about men's issues on International Men's Day |publisher=YouTube |website=youtube.com |date= |accessdate=16 April 2017 }}</ref> and the Day has been endorsed by the Prime Minister, Theresa May. In 2016, over 60 events were held.
  
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2017 was the biggest IMD to date with more than 100 events, campaigns and celebrations held.<ref>http://ukmensday.org.uk/</ref>
  
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====England====
  
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In England (and the UK) the event was inaugurated in 2008 by University of Kent students who celebrated International Men's Day the university campus on 19 November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Men's Day – United Kingdom|url=http://www.internationalmensday.com/united-kingdom.html|website=International Men's Day|accessdate=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710143239/http://www.internationalmensday.com/united-kingdom.html|archive-date=10 July 2017|dead-url=yes}}</ref> This event was organized and coordinated by the Kent University student group 'The Bishopden Boys'. The Bishopden boy's were a Kent Union charitable group, located in Bishopden court, which raises money for various charities each year. Activities for IMD night included 7 a side football tournament, comedy acts and a live music festival, fronted by the student band "Jad". There was a raffle, a guitar hero competition and an Xbox 360 tournament to raise money. About 3,000 people attended with roughly equal numbers of males and females. All proceeds raised went to ORCHID a charity for all male cancers, including prostate, penile or testicular cancer.
  
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In November 2010 the Brighton Men's Network organised an IMD conference event for the city of Brighton for professionals, experts and people interested in helping the city in improving services for men and boys. Chair of the Men's Network Glen Poole stated that public sector bosses, the voluntary sector, business leaders and concerned individuals will come together and explore how to help all men and boys live more fulfilled lives and make a bigger contribution to the city, and concluded, "This event will be an important step towards getting people to agree on the actions we need to take and help us develop the world's first citywide strategy for men and boys that we aim to launch next year."<ref name="ReferenceC">[http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-07-08/ International Men's day Global Website – Events 2007–2008]</ref><ref>'Is it Time To Fight For Men's Rights?' article in Brighton & Hove Argus on Friday 8 October 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-11661478 |title=Brighton holds 'manliest month ever', BBC News, Sussex |publisher=BBC |date=31 October 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> At Hartlepool, Rossmere Youth Centre hosted an IMD evening for boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 19 focused on health, gender equality and promoting male role models. Activities included rides on a rodeo bull, a Gladiators-style event, an Indian head massage, and dressing up in sumo suits. Organisations Springboard, Nacro and Jobsmart attended to give information and advice on training opportunities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/news/Fun-event-to-mark-Men39s.6627454.jp |title=Fun event to mark Men's Day, NEWS, 16 November 2010 |publisher=Peterleemail.co.uk |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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On 19 November 2010 Tiemo Entertainment sponsored a 'Celebration of Men Dinner' in London's Hotel Ibis in Euston, with Keynote Speaker Mr Damion Queva – Publisher of Fathers Quarterly magazine. Discussions were conducted on the topic, "What is the purpose of International Men's Day?" and attendees were treated to a wide-ranging discussion of some of the key issues facing men today. The mixed panel of professionals (including women) included Investment Analyst Michael Young, HR Manager Beverley Green, Builder and Reach Role Model Hylton Forrester, Wendy Forrester, Michael Peters, Polish Publisher Anna Prochon and the Keynote speaker Damion Queva, Publisher of Fathers Quarterly magazine in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiemo.co.uk/tiemomensday.html |title=Tiemo's 1st In Celebration of Men Dinner -November 19, 2010 |publisher=Tiemo.co.uk |date=19 November 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211030826/http://www.tiemo.co.uk/tiemomensday.html |archivedate=11 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiemo.co.uk/celebrationofmenreview.html |title=A Celebration of Men Discussion for International Men's Day – 19th November 2010, Hotel Ibis, London |publisher=Tiemo.co.uk |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030131229/http://www.tiemo.co.uk/celebrationofmenreview.html |archivedate=30 October 2011 }}</ref>
  
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Planned events to mark IMD at the University of York in 2015 were cancelled by the University, after pressure from about 200 members of staff, students, and alumni,<ref name= theguardian001 >{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/nov/17/row-after-university-of-york-cancels-international-mens-day-event |author= Sally Weale |title= Row after University of York cancels International Men’s Day event |publisher= The Guardian |website= theguardian.com |date=17 November 2015 |accessdate=9 March 2017}}</ref><ref name= independent001 >{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/university-of-york-cancels-international-men-s-day-plans-after-students-and-staff-protest-dr-adrian-a6737406.html |author= Aftab Ali |title= International Men’s Day plans after students and staff protest Dr Adrian Lee’s controversial comments |publisher= Independent |website= independent.co.uk |date= 17 November 2015 |accessdate=9 March 2017}}</ref> who signed an open letter on 13 November. The letter argued that "A day that celebrates men’s issues... does not combat inequality, but merely amplifies existing, structurally imposed, inequalities", characterizing a statement from the university's equality and diversity committee in support of the event as "particularly crass in view of the fact that of the 12-strong university senior management group, three-quarters are male".<ref name=theguardian001 /> Subsequently, the University made no plans to mark the event in 2016,<ref name=theyourker001 >{{cite news |url=http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/international-mens-day-not-marked/ |author= Mia Taylor-Jones |title= International Men’s Day Not Marked |date= 29 October 2016 |publisher=The Yorker |website= theyorker.co.uk |accessdate=9 March 2017}}</ref> despite a counter-petition which attracted 4,261 supporters.<ref name= theguardian001 />
  
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====Northern Ireland====
  
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In Northern Ireland 2010 Deputy Mayor of Newry and Mourne Council, Cllr Karen Mc Kevitt launched the Magnet Young Men's Health Event,' on Friday 19 November. The event was attended by men from across the district and representatives from local statutory, voluntary and community organisations were organised to celebrate 19 November as International Men's Day. Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mc Kevitt said, ‘It is a great idea to give an issue that has an international perspective a local focus. All men need to look after their health and take advantage of the services and help that is out there, as we all do. But it is particularly good to see an event that looks at the barriers that young men may be facing and brings together people from all organisations across the district to look at what can be done to work together to make things better.'<ref name="crossexaminer.co.uk">http://www.crossexaminer.co.uk/archives/5428 Magnet Centre Celebrates International Men's Day</ref> The event offered opportunities for men to have health checks with experienced staff from Action Cancer, and speakers such as Ken Harland (University of Ulster's Centre of Young Men's studies), Peter Mc Donald, a senior child care worker from Giggles Daycare nursery, and local athlete Ronan Murtagh shared their own insight into the choices young men make and the opportunities that are out there for young men today. Also in attendance was Jerome Burns, Assistant Director, Department for Social Development. Jerome stated, "The department for Social Development is delighted to support local initiatives that work with young men to highlight inequalities in health."<ref name="crossexaminer.co.uk"/>
  
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====Scotland====
  
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IMD was inaugurated in Scotland in 2010. The event was endorsed by the Government of Scotland and by the Men's Health Forum of Scotland (MHFS).<ref name="scotland.gov.uk">{{cite web | url=https://beta.gov.scot/policies/gender-equality/ | title=Gender Equality In Focus: International Men's Day | publisher=Scottish Government | accessdate=2 July 2018 }}
  
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<!-- original URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality/18500 --></ref><ref name="mhfs.org.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.mhfs.org.uk/InternationalMensDay2010.php |title=Archived copy |accessdate=7 December 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20121224014320/http://www.mhfs.org.uk/InternationalMensDay2010.php |archivedate=24 December 2012 }} Men's Health Forum of Scotland</ref> The MHFS celebrated the day with a roundtable event to promote the health and wellbeing of men and boys by bringing together key people and organisations. The focus of the event was to discuss the rationale for developing a national men's health policy in Scotland. The event took place at Elliot House, the office of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) in Edinburgh, where there were representations from Scottish Government, NHS Leads and Directors in the Voluntary Health Sector who discussed the issues and set up a short term task group to take this work forward. Jim Leishman, Men's Health Coordinator, NHS Forth Valley said: "This event was a huge opportunity to drive through improvements in men's health in Scotland."<ref name="scotland.gov.uk"/><ref name="mhfs.org.uk"/>
  
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====Wales====
  
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In 2011 The Welsh Government was accused by Tory councillor Peter Davies (father of MP Philip Davies) of sex discrimination for supporting International Women's Day with grants totalling £30,000 while ignoring International Men's Day. Davies stated, "I don't particularly object to the Welsh Government spending money on International Women's Day, but I would have thought that with its commitment to equality it would also be happy to recognise International Men's Day, which will be celebrated this Saturday."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/17/why-has-the-assembly-given-30k-to-international-women-s-day-but-not-to-international-men-s-day-91466-29791506/#ixzz1dwgphhVY | title=Why has the Assembly given £30k to International Women's Day... but not to International Men's Day? | publisher=WalesOnline | date=17 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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===Singapore===
  
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In 2008, a 19–21 November IMD event was organized in Singapore. The Adam Association organized a forum – Definition of a Man- which identified various problems men face at home such as communication issues, and how to overcome them. Held in Malay, speakers included Maliki Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, and staff members from the Registry of Marriages. The forum was open to the public for free and was held at the Darussalam mosque along Commonwealth Avenue West. Another event, also part of International Men's Day, was the Admiralty Baby Genius and Kids' Fashion contest, held on Sunday at Woodlands. Jointly organized by Adam Association and Ace the Place Community Club Management Committee, activities included a diaper-changing contest for fathers.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref>International Men's Day, article in The Electric New Paper News (Nov 2008)</ref>
  
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In 2009 the National Family Council launched the Singapore Dads for Life movement to support a man's role in co-parenting.<ref name="Aim of new network for Dads">[http://dadsforlife.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166:my-paper-17-nov-09-aim-of-new-network&catid=64:in-the-news&Itemid=132&layout=dfl] My Paper 17 November 2009: Aim of new network for Dads: more time with kids</ref> As part of the event volunteers distributed men's 'toolkits' at more than 30 locations to mark International Men's Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC091117-0000111/Networking-the-Dad-dicated |title=Networking the 'Dad-dicated' ''Today Online News'' |publisher=Todayonline.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628182828/http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC091117-0000111/Networking-the-Dad-dicated |archivedate=28 June 2011 }}</ref> Another organization, the Father's Action Network (FAN) also handed out "Dads for Life" toolkits and asked people to share personal stories of fatherhood which were placed online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Education/Story/A1Story20091118-180766.html |title=Fathers, spend quality time with your children, AsiaOne News November 2009 |publisher=Asiaone.com |date=20 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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===Romania===
  
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As of 19 November 2016 Romania will officially celebrate the "national men's day". The law declaring 19 November as the national men's day was passed on 2 February 2016 by the Romanian parliament. Romania is the first country to officially recognize and celebrate this as a national day. National women's day is also held on 8 March<ref>See details [http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/social/19-noiembrie-va-fi-oficial-ziua-barbatului-este-legea-sfanta-in-sufletul-fiecaruia-si-o-simtim-ca-atare.html here]</ref>
  
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===Malta===
  
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International Men's Day has been celebrated in Malta by the Association for Men's Rights since 1994.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/kansas-stream-1993-94/ ‘Kansas Stream’ 1993–95]</ref> AMR founder and director John Zammit conceived the event which has been held yearly in the form of a dinner, lunch or reception for AMR members and public. On this occasion awards are given to individuals who have made distinctive contributions men's rights such as, for example, efforts made by committee members, "for the removal of the impediment of departure which we had on men in separation/divorce cases. Before 1995 all men who had problems with their wives in Malta, be it Maltese or foreigners, could not leave the island while their case was still in court and so were imprisoned in Malta."<ref>{{cite web |author=(1-hour, 19 minutes ago) |url=http://www.freewebs.com/mensrightsmalta/ |title=Men's Rights Association (Malta) For True Gender Equality |publisher=Freewebs.com |date=6 October 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911041051/http://www.freewebs.com/mensrightsmalta/ |archivedate=11 September 2011 }}</ref> The Malta event has traditionally been observed on 7 February since 1994, making it the longest running local IMD observation in the world. As the February date is not celebrated by other participating countries and did not qualify as an ''internationally'' observed date, discussions were undertaken within the Maltese Association for Men's Rights, and on 17 January 2009, the committee voted unanimously to shift their celebrations to 19 November to coincide with all the others around the world.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref name="Malta & South Africa">[http://internationalmensday.co/malta-south-africa/ Malta & South Africa]</ref>
  
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===Hungary===
  
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In November 2009, writer Marie Clarence organized the inaugural IMD celebration for Hungary. Clarence organized the event to promote gender balance and gender equity. The celebration was held in Budapest and the UNESCO Cultural Committee Chairman of Hungary Michael Hoppal gave the opening speech. The event included celebration of local culture, including dancing and forum discussions which highlighted men's achievements and contributions to the world.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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===South Africa===
  
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Positive Men's Movement of South Africa (POMESA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mensday.org.za/index.html |title=Positive men's movement of South Africa |publisher=Mensday.org.za |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123173248/http://www.mensday.org.za/index.html |archivedate=23 November 2009 }}</ref> in partnership with South African Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA)<ref>[http://www.napsar.org/index.php Network of Africa People Living with HIV and AIDS for Southern Africa Region] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119215015/http://www.napsar.org/index.php |date=19 November 2015 }}</ref> organized the first Annual International Men's Day event. The event was held on 6 December 2008, and involved a Men's March for peace and justice from taxi rank to the national men's rally venue which is Rabasotho hall in Thembisa township, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Between three and five thousand men attended from all provinces of South Africa. Speakers in the event included the national government officials, national leadership of POMESA and NAPWA, and civil society, and included an Annual Men's Awards event to honour three outstanding men who have or and continue to contribute positively in the creation of peaceful and just society.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref name="mensday.org.za">{{cite web |url=http://www.mensday.org.za/aboutus.html |title=International Men's Day NAPWA and POMESA |publisher=Mensday.org.za |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118064604/http://www.mensday.org.za/aboutus.html |archivedate=18 November 2009 }}</ref>
  
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In 2008, POMESA and NAPWA celebrated IMD on 6 December.<ref name="mensday.org.za"/> As the December date was not celebrated by other participating countries, discussions were undertaken within both organizations and in May 2009 the Secretary General of NAPWA and POMESA Nkululeko Nxesi announced that the National Boards of both organizations have agreed to celebrate the Men's day on the same dates with other countries beginning on 19 November 2009 and in each year thereafter on the same date.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref name="Malta & South Africa"/>
  
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On 19 November 2009 five thousand men from across Africa converged on the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto to celebrate the second annual International Men's Day, where they promoted gender equality, positive male role models and emphasised that ‘not all men are bad people'.<ref>[http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/article201916.ece Motlanthe calls for SA men to fight abuse, Times Live] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>[http://multimedia.timeslive.co.za/videos/2009/11/not-all-men-are-bad/ Not All Men Are Bad – The Times Live] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121172231/http://multimedia.timeslive.co.za/videos/2009/11/not-all-men-are-bad/ |date=21 November 2009 }}</ref> Deputy President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe delivered the keynote address at what was termed "a ground-breaking event". The meeting was organized and led by the National Association of People Living With HIV and AIDS (NAPWA) to highlight the need for treatment access to medication and prevention.<ref>[http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1089126 A new plan is needed to fight HIV, Sowetan News (18 November 2009)] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2009/09111816351001.htm |title=Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to attend the second International Men's Day |publisher=Info.gov.za |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328122452/http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2009/09111816351001.htm |archivedate=28 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=8b86b14c20b05210VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |title=SA joins world to mark International Men's Day, SABC News (Nov 19 2009) |publisher=Sabcnews.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827222815/http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=8b86b14c20b05210VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |archive-date=27 August 2011 |dead-url=yes }}</ref>
  
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===Ghana===
  
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Ghana Fatherhood Initiative Foundation hosted an inaugural IMD celebration in 2009. The occasion was marked by a formal event with speakers, and included a cerermony of donating of books to several schools in the Ablekuma sub-district in Accra. The event was chaired by George Odame, the advisory board chairman of Ghana Fatherhood Initiative Foundation, who encouraged all fathers to read to their children as part of responsible fatherhood. The special guest of honour was Maxwell Mac. Ocloo who delivered a speech entitled 'Men – let us be instruments of positive influence' in which he encouraged men to lead by example.<ref>[http://www.ghanafatherhoodinitiative.org/news/ News – Ghana Fatherhood Initiative Foundation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513085007/http://www.ghanafatherhoodinitiative.org/news/ |date=13 May 2009 }}</ref>
  
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===Tanzania===
  
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On Saturday 19 November 2011, Youth Challenge International (YCI), in partnership with local and international organizations celebrated International Men's Day for the first time in Arusha and Morogoro, Tanzania. In Arusha, YCI, The Umoja Centre, Support for International Change, UMATI, Initiative for Youth Organization and Global Service Corps hosted the event at the Mbauda Open Market Ground. This event was aimed to promote men and boys as positive role models and to educate the community on the role of males and females in health, education, family life, violence and life choices. The event included performances, games, and educational activities. Over 500 youth and other community members came together to acknowledge the roles and responsibilities of men and boys in creating a brighter future for all Tanzanians. To celebrate the event in Morogoro, volunteers, along with partner organization Faraja Trust Fund, held a soccer tournament on with 8 local teams. To qualify to participate in the tournament each team had to come to two information sessions on male sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, gender roles and good governance. YCI and Faraja provided an on-site HIV testing centre, a DJ with music and dancing throughout the day, and drama group performances on the key objectives of International Men's Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ycicanada.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/international-mens-day/ |title=Youth Challenge International Inaugurates IMD in Tanzania |publisher=Ycicanada.wordpress.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> Plans exist for the Tanzanian Men's Rights Organisation (TAMRA) to celebrate International men's day in 2013.
  
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===Zimbabwe===
  
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International Men's Day was inaugurated in Zimbabwe on 19 November 2011. The commemorations were held at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza under the theme Giving The Boy Child The Best Possible Start In Life. Fred Misi, the chairman of Men's Forum Varume Svinurai/Vhukhani said the commemorations came at a time when attention was being given to the girl child at the expense of boys, and noted, "Whilst it is important to focus on the specific needs of the girl child, we are creating a crisis by ignoring the specific needs of the boy child." Misi highlighted the growing trend that many boys were dropping out of school and were hooked on hard drugs as well as abusing alcohol, while a significant number of those who were completed secondary and tertiary education were roaming the streets because of unemployment. He added the government and Zimbabweans needed to act immediately. A number of prominent persons attended and gave papers on the need to give the boy child assistance. There was drama and poetry from various groups and individual high school students in line with the theme of the celebrations, and the Zimbabwe Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Olivia Muchena gave a key note address in which she said, "It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them... International Men's Day is an opportunity for people everywhere of good will to appreciate and celebrate the men in their life and the contributions they make to society for the greater good of all hence it being important for us to celebrate this day equally as we did with The International Women's Day."<ref>[http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-11-22-zimbabwe-marks-mens-day Zimbabwe marks Men's Day, NewsDay 22 November]</ref>
  
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===Botswana===
  
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International Men's Day was inaugurated in Botswana in 2011 by coordinator Geneuvieve Twala. One of the International Men's Day themes promoted was to help foster youth to unlock their creative identities to allow them to share their gifts with peers, family and the community, and to be seen and heard for who they are and not how they are perceived. The primary event was a gala dinner titled "One moment for Change" to highlight men's potential and the increasing capabilities of men as innovators of society. The dinner was held to raise funds to cover six months music tuition fees for a group of 20 children from the SOS Children's Village whom IMD ambassadors have adopted as part of a mentoring programme for children. Standard Chartered Bank sponsored the dinner, which included a range of iconic speakers who shared their experience and insights with the audience. Standard Chartered Bank Acting CEO Mr Michael Wiegand opened the event by sharing best practices that Standard Chartered Bank uses to address legitimate issues faced by male employees, including the fact that Standard Chartered Bank is the first company in Botswana to offer paternity leave which, he stated, made their male employees feel valued and that they were working for a 21st-century organization. Mr Tebogo Sebego, senior partner at Sebego & Sharma Attorneys and former chairperson of the Law Society of Botswana gave a keynote speech where he emphasized how the child protection laws should be improved, how the society play a role in creating a safe environment for the future generation of men. Mrs Tjipo Mothobi, Director, GBC Health South Africa gave an address on business collective effort. The District Commissioner in his closing remarks made an announcement that by end of December he was convening a meeting with men in the City where they will engage in dialogue on how they can collectively address the issues and challenges men and boys face. The inaugural event was a success, with radio stations subsequently airing programmes that call for debate on men's issues since IMD. All the businesses and stakeholders involved gave a commitment to be part and parcel of the next IMD and we are already working on the strategy for 2012.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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===Seychelles===
  
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On 19 November 2012 Government Minister Vincent Meriton declared this year the first that IMD has been celebrated at a National Government level. Minister Meriton said, "The time has come for us to adopt a new approach, instead of reinforcing negative stereotyping of males behaving badly, e.g. media portrayals of males as violent, power-hungry, irresponsible and so on. Such negative images are frequently used in an attempt to shame males into behaving more positively."<ref name="nation.sc">http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=29554 International Men's Day ‘Boosting men's self-esteem and mental well-being' – 19 November 2012. Seychelles NATION</ref> Meriton stated that the practice of negative stereotyping ignores the fact that such negative behaviours do not apply to the vast majority of men and boys, or that such negativity may detrimentally impact the self-image and self-esteem of boys, which in turn impacts their willingness to contribute to building better relationships and communities as they grow into adults. In conclusion he stated that "International Men's Day calls for and promotes positive masculinity which we in Seychelles can strongly identify with as it forms part of the social renaissance campaign launched at the beginning of the year by President James Michel."<ref name="nation.sc"/>
  
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===Burundi===
  
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On 19 November 2012 Burundi joined the world for the first time in celebrating the International Men's Day, as Association for the Protection of the Man in Distress (APHD Burundi) denounced violence inflicted to men by their wives. Vincent Bukuru, chairman of the APHD-Burundi said, "Violence on men rises when the man loses his job, during the end of year festivities (Christmas and New Year) and at the International Women's Day (8 March)."<ref name="newtimes.co.rw">[http://newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15183&a=60921 Burundi marks Men's Day amid condemnation of violence against men] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311063537/http://newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15183&a=60921 |date=11 March 2014 }} The New Times, Rwanda's First Daily</ref> Bukuru called on the Burundian government to conduct a national investigation on types and origins of violence that men are facing, their consequences and their gravity which he stated is a violation of human rights.<ref name="newtimes.co.rw"/>
  
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===Ireland===
  
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To Celebrate International Men's Day on Thursday 19 November 2009, Irish broadcaster Newstalk devoted a day-long show to men. The show was hosted by Tom Dunne and was Ireland's first ever observation of the event. Topics included discussion of how 'Men Sheds' contribute to improving men's health, and of their popularity in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/tom-dunne/international-mens-day/ |title=International Men's Day, Newstalk |publisher=Newstalk.ie |date=16 November 2009 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206171659/http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/tom-dunne/international-mens-day/ |archivedate=6 February 2010 }}</ref> In 2011 Men in Childcare Network Ireland and Men in Childcare Europe, a European network made up of Men in Childcare networks from individual EU member countries, hosted a European conference on "Reimagining Childhood Care & Education" A celebration of Universal Children's Day, and International Men's Day. The event called 'Reimagining Childhood Care and Education' took place in Ireland on Saturday 19 November 2011 at the City West Hotel, Dublin.<ref name="Thompson"/> Also in 2011 the Raphoe Family Resource Centre hosted an event with different groups in order to focus on the value of, and highlighting the positive contribution that men make. Children were invited to offer poems or stories about their fathers, grandfathers, uncles or big brothers which were put on display all week to show the men in families how important they are to others.
  
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===Isle of Man===
  
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The Isle of Man celebrated its inaugural celebration in 2012 at the Isle of Man College of Higher education on 19 November 2012.<ref name="iomcollege.ac.im">[http://www.iomcollege.ac.im/events/college-activities/international-mens-day International Men's day at Isle of Man College] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119231536/http://www.iomcollege.ac.im/events/college-activities/international-mens-day |date=19 November 2012 }}</ref> The organization emphasised the 2012 theme which highlighted 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 males. For activities the NSC held strength tests and health advice; The Children's Centre loaned out their interactive babies and some parenting information and Will Sutton attended as the 'Positive' male role model for the day. The Student Council baked and sold cakes, and Sami-Jaine Martin (Student President) was running a Sexual Health Stand. The engineering group was selling moustaches and raising money for men's cancer charities, while construction group (with help from the art department) made an 8&nbsp;ft seaside cut out for photographs on the day. The beauty therapy department offered their time to pamper the boys with Indian head massages and face mapping, and there were also 3 students who volunteered to have their chest waxed to raise money for charity.<ref name="iomcollege.ac.im"/><ref>[http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/college-focuses-on-men-for-special-day-1-5156412 College focuses on men for special day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128155242/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/college-focuses-on-men-for-special-day-1-5156412 |date=28 November 2012 }}, IOMToday, 22 November 2012</ref>
  
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On 19 November 2014 a total of 110 men took part in the all-male class led by Dave Smythe at the National Sports Centre in Douglas, which set the new world record for the Largest male yoga class, according to the World Record Academy. The event was the organized by Kate Bergquist, health and well-being co-ordinator at Isle of Man College to mark International Men's Day.<ref>[http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/male-yoga-class-world-record-attempt-in-isle-of-man-1-6956652 IOM TODAY: Male yoga class world record attempt in Isle of Man] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121195751/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/male-yoga-class-world-record-attempt-in-isle-of-man-1-6956652 |date=21 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/sports/largest_male_yoga_class_Douglas_event_breaks_Guinness_World_Records_record_214154.html World Record Academy]</ref>
  
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===Canada===
  
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On 19 November 2009, directors of the Vancouver Manology Program held an all day event to mark the beginning of the Vancouver Men's Centre. As a feature of this event organizers announced their official endorsement of International Men's Day and held forums introducing attendees to the history, goals and values of the international event, including discussions toward planning larger IMD events in 2010. This marks the first Canadian 19 Nov IMD observation.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://masculinity21st.wordpress.com/ |title=Manology: Exploring 21st century Masculinity |publisher=Masculinity21st.wordpress.com |date=7 July 2011 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> In 2010 Canada IMD Coordinator David Hatfield organized a large event at the Roundhouse in Vancouver for numerous male and family-friendly organizations to display their social work to the general public. Entertainment and various speakers were included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roundhouse.ca/ |title=Roundhouse community arts and recreation Centre News |publisher=Roundhouse.ca |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-11/21/c_13615797.htm |title='Men's Day more than just celebration', English News CN |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107141740/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-11/21/c_13615797.htm |archivedate=7 November 2012 }}</ref> The Council of the Corporation of the City of Oshawa issued a 2010 Proclamation that 19 November be designated Oshawa International Men's Day with the Proclamation, "And further take notice and let it be known that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Oshawa hereby urges all citizens to take cognizance of this event and fittingly join in its observance".<ref name="Thompson"/> The Laurel Centre in Winnipeg celebrated IMD with a public open house on 19 November announcing a new shelter program to help men and their children who are fleeing [[intimate partner violence]]. On 1 July 2010, the Men's Resource Centre (MRC) officially became a program of The Laurel Centre, and staff and volunteers said they were pleased with the new partnership which will provide a solid foundation of leadership and expertise from which to grow and develop services for men in Manitoba. The official IMD launch of this initiative was attended by several speakers including The Honorable Gord Mackintosh – Minister of Family Services; Mr. Justin Swandel – Deputy Mayor and The City of Winnipeg.<ref name="Caribbean Stream"/><ref>The Laurel Centre Winnipeg: Men's resource centre open house International Men's Day 19 November, Calgary Examiner, 13 November 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelaurelcentre.com/home/ |title=The Laurel Centre |publisher=The Laurel Centre |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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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>
  
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===Norway===
  
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In 2011, the first international men's day was organized by a group of volunteers in cooperation with the Resource Centre for Men.<ref>[http://mannsdagen.no/ international men's day]</ref><ref>[http://www.reform.no/ Resource Centre for Men]</ref> 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".<ref>[http://www.litteraturhuset.no/ House of Literature]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nimd.no/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=1 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028202110/http://nimd.no/ |archivedate=28 October 2011 }} Norges Internasjonale Mannsdag Offisielt nettsted for mannsdag feiringen 19. November</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://fett.no/2011/10/arrangerer-mannedag/|title=Arrangerer mannedag|author=Ida Bergstrøm|publisher=Fett|accessdate=20 November 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127200521/http://fett.no/2011/10/arrangerer-mannedag/|archivedate=27 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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===Austria===
  
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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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diepresse.com/home/bildung/erziehung/606444/Weltmaennertag_Ein-Tag-mit-vielen-Missverstaendnissen |title=Weltmännertag: Ein Tag mit vielen Missverständnissen |publisher=Diepresse.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20101119_OTS0075/internationaler-maennertag |title=Internationaler Männertag, Austria Presse Agentur 11.19.2010 |language=de |publisher=Ots.at |date=19 November 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maennerpartei.at/content/internationaler-m%C3%A4nnertag-workshop-zur-v%C3%A4terfreundlichen-reform-des-familienrechts |title=Internationaler Männertag: Workshop zur väterfreundlichen Reform des Familienrechts |publisher=Maennerpartei.at |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120161430/http://maennerpartei.at/content/internationaler-m%C3%A4nnertag-workshop-zur-v%C3%A4terfreundlichen-reform-des-familienrechts |archivedate=20 November 2011 }}</ref>
  
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===Bosnia and Herzegovina===
  
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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.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bh-news.com/en/vijest_det.php?vid=4589&r=1 |title=The international men's day to be celebrated in BH for the first time, BH-NEWS, October 25, 2011 |publisher=Bh-news.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207205416/http://www.bh-news.com/en/vijest_det.php?vid=4589&r=1 |archivedate=7 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=propaganda.ba / nashstudio.ba |url=http://www.danmuskaraca.ba/ |title=Međunarodni dan muškaraca u Bosni |publisher=Danmuskaraca.ba |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120040804/http://www.danmuskaraca.ba/ |archivedate=20 November 2011 }}</ref>
  
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===Ukraine===
  
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On 16 November 2012 the Ukrainian News Agency held a 'Meet the Press' event entitled "International Men's Day: Aspects Of Health And Longevity".<ref name="MeetThePress">Meet the Press: "International Men's Day: Aspects Of Health And Longevity" Ukrainian News Agency, 2012</ref> 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.<ref name="MeetThePress"/> 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.<ref name="MeetThePress"/>
  
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===France===
  
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lajourneedelhomme.com/ |title=La journée de l'homme – la concurrence Moustache |publisher=Lajourneedelhomme.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114235230/http://www.lajourneedelhomme.com/ |archivedate=14 November 2011 }}</ref>
  
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===Italy===
  
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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.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
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===Pakistan===
  
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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.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref>[http://www.dadsontheair.net/shows/wrap-up-of-a-mens-month.html Dads On The Air Radio; Wrap Up Of Men's Month, 30 Nov 2010.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221041658/http://www.dadsontheair.net/shows/wrap-up-of-a-mens-month.html |date=21 February 2011 }}</ref>
  
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===Grenada===
  
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/9535/51/ |title=Grenada Proposes Modernisation of Inter-American Commission of Women, Grenada Broadcast, 2010 |publisher=Grenadabroadcast.com |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004140150/http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/9535/51/ |archivedate=4 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.gd/egov/news/2010/nov10/05_11_10/item_3/grenada_proposes_CIM.html |title=The Official Website of the Government of Grenada |publisher=Gov.gd |date=5 November 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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===Cuba===
  
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Cuba held its inaugural IMD observations on 19 November 2011.<ref name="tiempo21.cu">[http://www.tiempo21.cu/index.php/las-tunas/4301-dia-internacional-del-hombre-resaltan-en-las-tunas-importancia-de-la-equidad-de-generos Día Internacional del Hombre: resaltan en Las Tunas importancia de la equidad de géneros] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128071121/http://www.tiempo21.cu/index.php/las-tunas/4301-dia-internacional-del-hombre-resaltan-en-las-tunas-importancia-de-la-equidad-de-generos |date=28 November 2012 }} Tiempo21 News</ref> 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.<ref name="tiempo21.cu"/>
  
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===Antigua and Barbuda===
  
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v4/article_details.php?id=1074&category=38 |title=Antigua and Barbuda to join in International Men's Day celebrations, Official website of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda |publisher=Ab.gov.ag |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928073730/http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v4/article_details.php?id=1074&category=38 |archivedate=28 September 2011 }}</ref>
  
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===St. Kitts and Nevis===
  
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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.<ref name="winnfm.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.winnfm.com/news2.asp?NewsID=5505 |title=St. Kitts and Nevis Celebrates International Men's Day |publisher=Winnfm.com |date=21 November 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314212307/http://www.winnfm.com/news2.asp?NewsID=5505 |archivedate=14 March 2012 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="winnfm.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/15933 |title="Choose no Booze" Discourages alcohol abuse |publisher=Sknvibes.com |date=25 November 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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===Cayman Islands===
  
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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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ieyenews.com/2011/10/international-men%E2%80%99s-day/ |title=International Men's Day, Cayman iNews -October 15, 2011 |publisher=Ieyenews.com |date=15 October 2011 |accessdate=20 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130126102449/http://www.ieyenews.com/2011/10/international-men%E2%80%99s-day/ |archivedate=26 January 2013 }}</ref>
  
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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.<ref>[http://loopcayman.com/2014/11/12/cayman-celebrate-intl-mens-day-november-19/ "Cayman Celebrates International Men's Day November 19"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208163245/http://loopcayman.com/2014/11/12/cayman-celebrate-intl-mens-day-november-19/ |date=8 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>[http://caymannewsservice.com/viewpoint/2014/11/19/mens-day-message Premier Alden McLaughlin's Men's Day Message, Cayman News Service]</ref><ref>[http://www.radiocayman.gov.ky/football-tournament-helps-to-celebrate-men-and-boys Football Tournament Helps to Celebrate Men and Boys – Radio Cayman]</ref>
  
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===St. Lucia===
  
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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.<ref name="Thompson"/>
  
−  
−
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.<ref>[http://www.govt.lc/news/-a-celebration-of-men- "A Celebration of Men" – Government of St. Lucia Website]</ref>
  
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−
===New Zealand===
  
−  
−
In 2018 a small group is promoting men's day in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthychristchurch.org.nz/news/resources-and-information/2018/9/save-the-date-international-mens-day-new-zealand-aotearoa|title=International Men's Day New Zealand Aotearoa|last=|first=|date=5 September 2018|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref> There is no official support from the New Zealand government. The [https://internationalmensday.nz/ 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==
  
==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'.<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD">[http://internationalmensday.co/about-international-mens-day/ IMD Global Website – About IMD]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-05-06/ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2005–2006]</ref><ref name="International Men's Day' p.11">Jerome Teelucksingh – 'International Men's Day', article in Transitions: A Journal of Men's Perspectives. Vol 27, No.4 p.11 (2007)</ref> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/cbtt/archives.html |title=CBTT co-hosts 2nd International Men's Day, CBTT News Archives |publisher=Members.tripod.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref> 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:
 +
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'.<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD">[http://internationalmensday.co/about-international-mens-day/ IMD Global Website – About IMD]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-05-06/ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2005–2006]</ref><ref name="International Men's Day' p.11">Jerome Teelucksingh – 'International Men's Day', article in Transitions: A Journal of Men's Perspectives. Vol 27, No.4 p.11 (2007)</ref> 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.<ref>http://members.tripod.com/cbtt/archives.html</ref> 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 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 celebrate men's positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.
Line 194: Line 61:
 
* To create a safer, better world; where people can live free from harm and grow to reach their full potential<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD"/>
  
* To create a safer, better world; where people can live free from harm and grow to reach their full potential<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD"/>
   
−
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.<ref>Men's Activism News Network. Press Release Dec 2008</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood-70562992.html |title=International Men's Day and Universal Children's Day: A Celebration of Fatherhood |location=Illinois |publisher=Prnewswire.com |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120908010836/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood,1056153.shtml International Men's Day and Universal Children's Day: A Celebration of Fatherhood]</ref>
 +
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.<ref>Men's Activism News Network. Press Release Dec 2008</ref> 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.<ref>http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood-70562992.html</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120908010836/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood,1056153.shtml</ref>
−  
−
==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.<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD"/><ref name="International Men's Day' p.11"/>
  
−  
−
===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.<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD"/>
  
−  
−
===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.<ref name="IMD Global Website - About IMD"/><ref>http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/projections/en/index.html World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Estimates</ref>
  
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===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?"<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/2013-theme/ Press Release of the International Men's Day Coordination Committee, 14 February 2013]</ref>
  
−  
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===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.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/2014-theme/ Press Release of the International Men's Manjunath J Day Coordination Committee, 14 February 2014]</ref>
  
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===2015 "Working To Expand Reproductive Options for Men"===
  
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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.<ref>[http://internationalmensday.co/2015-theme/ Press Release of the International Men's Day Coordination Committee, 25 March 2015]</ref>
  
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===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."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.menshealthweek.org.au/En/Pages/45b128/Tackle-Mens-Health-Problems-In-Every-Country-Says-Global-Mens-Health-Organisation-At-Start-Of-Mens-Health-Week.aspx |title=Tackled Men's Health Problems In Every Country, Says Global Men's Health Organization at Start of Men's Health Week |access-date=24 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125004758/http://www.menshealthweek.org.au/En/Pages/45b128/Tackle-Mens-Health-Problems-In-Every-Country-Says-Global-Mens-Health-Organisation-At-Start-Of-Mens-Health-Week.aspx |archive-date=25 November 2016 |dead-url=yes }}</ref> 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."<ref>[InternationalMensDay]. (28 October 2016) International Mens Day 2016. [Video File] Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRktbxX2Zos.</ref>
  
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===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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://ukmensday.org.uk/2017-theme-announced/|title=2017 theme announced: Celebrating Men and Boys in all their Diversity|last=Brooks|first=Mark|date=5 March 2017|website=UkMensDay – IMD UK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110152423/http://ukmensday.org.uk/2017-theme-announced/|archive-date=10 November 2017|dead-url=|access-date=|ref=2017-Theme-CelebratingM&BinDiversity}}</ref> The emphasis on "..A&nbsp;Call To Action'''"'''&nbsp;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."<ref name=":0" />
  
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===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.<ref>http://www.internationalmensday.com Our Theme for 2018:
  
−
Positive Male Role Models</ref>
  
   
 
== See Also ==
  
== See Also ==
   
  +
*[[History of International Men's Day]]
  +
*[[Themes of International Men's Day]]
 
*[[International Boy's Day]]
  
*[[International Boy's Day]]
   
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* [http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/international-mens-day International Men's Day – Holidays Portal]
  
* [http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/international-mens-day International Men's Day – Holidays Portal]
 
* [https://internationalmensday.com/founders-statement/ Founders Statement]
  
* [https://internationalmensday.com/founders-statement/ Founders Statement]
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  +
{{wikipedia}}
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
   
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[[Category: Events]]
  
 
[[Category: Featured Articles]]
  
[[Category: Featured Articles]]
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[[Category: Australia]]
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[[Category: International Men's Day]]
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[[Category: Malta]]
  
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[[Category: Trinidad & Tobago]]
  
 
[[Category: United Nations]]
  
[[Category: United Nations]]
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[[Category: United Kingdom]]
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[[Category: Wikipedia]]
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[[Category: United States]]
  

Latest revision as of 03:38, 23 June 2024

Meme by Pro-Male Memes talking about the United Nations.

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 19 November 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 19 November 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] 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.[9][10] The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values.

International Men's Day is celebrated in over 80 countries, on 19 November, and global support for the celebration is broad. 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.

Countries

International Men's Day has been celebrated in a variety of countries:

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'.[11] 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.[12][13] 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.[14] 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[11]

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.[15] 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.[16][17]

See Also

External links


This article contains information imported from the English Wikipedia. In most cases the page history will have details. If you need information on the importation and have difficulty obtaining it please contact the site administrators.

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References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041647/http://internationalmensday.co/kansas-stream-1991-92/
  2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024043/http://international-mens-day.com/Kasnsas_stream_archive.php
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173213/http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-99-00/
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141207173715/http://internationalmensday.co/malta-south-africa/
  5. ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC
  6. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20101110024029/http://international-mens-day.com/Caribbean_stream_1.php
  7. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=yYADBEaYhacC
  8. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20121130221119/http://imd-global.org/
  9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080317022518/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=519291
  10. ↑ http://internationalmensday.co/caribbean-stream-03-04/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 IMD Global Website – About IMD
  12. ↑ International Men's Day Global Website Archive 2005–2006
  13. ↑ Jerome Teelucksingh – 'International Men's Day', article in Transitions: A Journal of Men's Perspectives. Vol 27, No.4 p.11 (2007)
  14. ↑ http://members.tripod.com/cbtt/archives.html
  15. ↑ Men's Activism News Network. Press Release Dec 2008
  16. ↑ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood-70562992.html
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120908010836/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/international-mens-day-and-universal-childrens-day-a-celebration-of-fatherhood,1056153.shtml
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