Released - Feb 1st 2011
DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY STATEMENT
We encourage every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to join us in celebrating men and boys in all their diversity on International Men’s Day (November 19th).
We recognize that there are a broad variety of laws, values and viewpoints around the world that affect different men, in different countries in different ways. There is also a diversity of opinions about those laws, values and viewpoints which are held by the many different men, women, girls and boys throughout the world.
As a day of observance we place our focus on that which unites us- giving everyone who wants to celebrate International Men’s Day with us the opportunity to help us work towards our shared objectives which we apply equally to men and boys irrespective of their age, ability, social background, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religious belief and relationship status:
- To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men 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 males; 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 be safe and grow to reach their full potential
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Released Late December 2010
GIVING BOYS THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN LIFE: 2011 INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY
In 2011 Men and Women from more than 40 countries are calling on people around the world to unite and focus on “Giving Boys The Best Possible Start In Life”. Organizers of International Men’s Day (www.international-mens-day.com), which is celebrated annually across the globe, are inviting individuals and organisations to consider how we can improve the way the world supports boys in the run up to the next International Men’s Day on Saturday 19th November 2011.
Organizers are promising the biggest boys’ weekend the world has ever seen as the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day shares a 48-hour partnership with Universal Children’s Day on Sunday, 20 November 2011 and is endorsed by the United Nations.
International Men’s Day 2011 is asking people around the world to focus on five key challenges that boys all the over the world experience in areas of health, education, family life, violence and life choices and consider how we can all come up with local solutions to the global problems that boys face.
The people who support International Men’s Day – who include the international authors Warren Farrell and Steve Biddulph – have warned that while it remains important to focus on the specific needs of women and girls around the world, that it is more important than ever before that we don’t ignore the specific needs of the world’s boys and the men they will grow up to become. Warren Farrell states;
“In the last 30 or 40 years we've really helped girls and women develop and that's a wonderful thing but I've also seen that our sons have begun to drop out of school at a much greater rate, fall behind in reading and writing, and fall behind in almost every other psychological, social and academic area. We are on the verge of a crisis with our boys that is equivalent to the financial crisis that many of us didn't see until it came upon us. International Men's Day is one of the very few alerts in the world to that crisis. It is an early warning signal. We need to choose to pay attention to it or it will hurt us for years and decades to come."
The good news is that together we can make a difference. They five key challenges that the International Men’s Day team suggest for focusing the collective minds of people who want to take action and give boys the best possible start in life are:
- HEALTH AND LIFE EXPECTANCY: Why are boys around the world more likely to die before the age of five and why do boys in every continent look forward to a much shorter life than girls? What are the reasons for boy’s higher likelihood of suicide? What action can we take to give boys the best possible start in life and help them live longer, happier, healthier lives?
- EDUCATIONAL FOCUS: Why are boys in richer countries underperforming girls and also less likely to be in education, and why are tens of millions of boys in poorer countries still not completing a primary education? How can we address truancy, and poor literacy rates which leave boys prone to adult unemployment, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and poverty? What action can we take to focus on boys’ education in a way that gives them the best possible start in life and closes the gaps between girls and boys and rich boys and poor boys?
- TOLERANCE OF VIOLENCE: Why are we so tolerant of violence and abuse against men and boys and why do we still tolerate a world where we send boys to fight the wars among adults? What actions can we take to help boys’ grow up free from violence and challenge our collective tolerance and support of violence against men and boys?
- RIGHTS TO FATHERHOOD: How can we give boys a right to family life that gives them an equal opportunity to know and experience both their father and mother and ensure that their role as a future father is equal to a girls role as future mother. What actions can we take to give every boy an equal right to fatherhood?
- REAL LIFE CHOICES: How can we make sure that every boy has opportunities to make a range of positive life choices in terms of work, family and leisure and reduce the number of boys whose life choices are limited and end up poor, illiterate, unemployed, homeless, imprisoned and isolated? What action can we make to help every boy get the best possible start in life and make a positive transition form boy to man that makes the world a better place for everyone?
To help respond to these challenges, the International Men’s Day team are inviting any government, organisation, community or individual that wants to give boys the best possible start in life to take part in the biggest boys’ weekend ever on International Men’s Day (Saturday 19th November 2011) and Universal Children’s Day (Sunday 20th November 2011). If you have an idea for an event or a project that can help respond to one of the five challenges to give boys the best possible in start in life we encourage you to highlight it as part of International Men’s Day celebrations for 2011.
Feel free to contact the International Men’s Day Coordination team at www.international-mens-day.com to share your thoughts on giving the best start to boys. This year we are giving out a prize certificate for the IMD FLAGSHIP PROJECT which illustrates the best solution-oriented approach to one or more of the five areas listed above.
Do the young men of the world feel that there is a need to focus on their issues and to give them the best possible start in life? Is International Men’s Day important to them? Two young men -- Peter Thompson of Australia and Navin Farley Crump of the United States offer insightful answers:
What International Men’s Day Means To Me
By Peter Thompson – 2010
My name is Peter Thompson, I'm 14 and live in Australia. I was happy when I recently heard that 2011 IMD would be focused on boys, because they really need support. A lot of my friends and other boys seem lost with everything; their schoolwork and what they want to do when they leave school. They also don't know what to do in their spare time and are doing things that they will surely regret later in their life. Some are dropping out of school, others are taking drugs, and a lot seem lost and unable to talk when they are upset. I remember my friend came to school one day and it seemed like something was deeply troubling him, however, when I asked him what was wrong he wasn't able to tell me, nor anyone else that asked. I believe this is a good example of what I see with a lot of the boys. Things are troubling them and they don't know how to talk about it or don't have anyone willing to listen to them. To me, boys at school have a sort of "It doesn't matter" attitude towards their schoolwork because they don't pay attention in class and goof off, and when they get bad marks, they don’t seem to care about it.
With these things in mind I would really like it if more help and support could be offered to boys to help them cope with school, giving them opportunities for jobs once they finish school, and helping them stay on track in their spare time. I would also like to see them be able to open up and talk about whatever is on their minds and maybe have more people who encourage them to talk. I would be extremely happy if International Men’s Day could make people pay more attention to these issues.
International Men’s Day – 2010
By Navin Farley Crump
My name is Navin Farley Crump and I am 15 years old. I wish to share my views regarding International Men’s Day and what it means to me as a teenage male in America. In my opinion, the main objective of International Men’s Day is to encourage all people to participate in creating a better world for men everywhere.
When Dr. Teelucksingh founded International Men’s Day on November 19th, 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, I believe his goal was to give men the “recognition” they deserve for their contribution(s) to societies worldwide. International Men’s Day, supports the quote by Ryunosuke Satoro, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” The greater the number of people who come together in support of this endeavor, the louder the voice. Just as the 1st Amendment provides Americans with the right to freedom of speech, International Men’s Day provides men with a voice to be heard globally.
International Men’s Day aims to make life better, not just for grown men but for young males alike. This is why Dr. Warren Farrell, an internationally acclaimed thought leader on Men’s issues recently stated, “In the last 30 to 40 years, we have helped women and girls develop and that is a wonderful thing but I have also seen that our sons have begun to drop out of school at a much greater rate; fall behind in reading and writing, and fall behind in almost every other psychological, social, and academic area...” Males are often mistreated, unappreciated and overlooked – and as a result, as Dr. Farrell says, “We are on the verge of a crisis with our boys.”
Dr. Teelucksingh has increased world awareness on this subject. I would like to thank Dr. Teelucksingh for founding International Men’s Day. I hope that more and more people become involved and that International Men’s Day continues to play an influential role in improving the lives of men.
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Dec 31 - 2009
CALL FOR ACTION -- INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2010
Looking Back at 2009 . . . Moving Forward to 2010
International Men’s Day calls for the people of the world to unite and celebrate 2010 with the theme, ‘Our Children .. Our Future’. International Men’s Day will be held on 19th November 2010. The future of our children depends on positive male role models.
The theme ‘Our Children ... Our Future’ celebrates the 48 hour partnership that International Men’s Day has with Universal Children’s Day, which is celebrated on 20th November 2010 and endorsed by the United Nations.
The celebrations of International Men’s Day 2009 were the largest ever global collaboration of men and women to address the challenges and problems that men face. Ireland, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malta, South Africa, Georgia, New Zealand, Moldova, Germany, Holland and Brazil were a sample of the nations around the world that celebrated and honored the selfless sacrifices of Men and their invaluable contributions to families, communities and society. International Men’s Day 2009 was featured in newspaper headlines, TV stories, magazine articles, blogs, YouTube promos and websites the world over.
During a conference call on 1st December 2009 the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee ratified the following core objectives of International Men’s Day:
• To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men 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 be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
These core objectives were put in place in 1999 by International Men's Day Founder, Dr Jerome Teelucksingh and their formal ratification in 2009 gave individuals and groups wanting to celebrate International Men’s Day in their own community, the framework and foundation for their celebrations.
Comments from the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee:
Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, Founder of International Men’s Day, History Lecturer at the West Indies University, Trinidad Tobago and Chairman of the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee commented: “International Men’s Day – IMD -- has the potential to become the global medium to heal our world. The concept and themes of IMD are designed to give hope to the depressed, faith to the lonely, comfort to the broken-hearted, transcend barriers, eliminate stereotypes and create a more caring humanity. Since its inception, IMD has blossomed into a movement which promotes goodwill and positively transforms the lives of many persons. Every year I am overjoyed to witness and read testimonies of persons who genuinely believe that the observance of IMD has resulted in greater stability in their lives and guided them from darkness into light.”
Warwick Marsh, Global Coordinator for International Men’s Day remarked: “It has been a truly humbling experience to get the first-hand reports from those celebrating International Men’s Day at a global grass roots level. We have been awed by the many initiatives that have taken place around the globe. Dr Jerome Teelucksingh has done a wonderful job of getting International Men’s Day off the ground and we are excited that this year our theme is ‘Our Children Our Future’, a celebration of the contribution fathers make to families and society. We include a list of other days of significance to the family-friendly men and father’s movement. If the 2009 celebrations are any indication, then 2010 International Men’s Day will be a great expression of unity between men and father’s groups the world over.”
Jason Thompson, Historian & Global Promotions Coordinator for International Men’s Day stated: “International Men’s Day enjoyed significantly increased interest around the globe this year with a more than doubling of countries hosting events than in 2008. Australia, for instance, jumped from holding a single event in 2008 to this year hosting over 15 formal observations across the country, including the sponsoring of events by four local governments, a speech to honour men in the West Australian State Parliament, and an observation at Parliament House in Canberra with several notable speakers. Similar increases in awareness were reported in other countries, which, in my view, is a truly remarkable trend.”
Uma Challa, International Men’s Day Coordinator for India responded: “IMD 2009 was a remarkable international event. As many as 25 international men and father's groups celebrated the occasion echoing common sentiments and concerns. While IMD may have been celebrated by a few individual nations in the past, the world witnessed the amazing resonance and camaraderie of men, father and family advocates for the first time in the history of the men's movement in 2009. The theme ‘promoting positive male role models’ has definitely made men and women around the world pause and think about the many contributions and services of men in our lives, about the vulnerability of men and the need to love, care and support them every day. This is a great sign and I can only see the men's movement gaining more and more momentum in the coming years.”
Diane A. Sears, International Men’s Day Coordinator for United States of America offered the following observation: “The electronic and print media along with blogs, websites, and online social networks such as FACEBOOK and TWITTER and professional online networks such as LinkedIn created a great level of awareness and interest in 2009 International Men’s Day in the United States. The heightened awareness and interest in 2009 International Men’s Day sparked by the media is energizing the Global Dialogue on Fatherhood, focusing attention on the contributions of Men, and moving individuals and organizations who have key ‘pieces of the puzzle’ to work together with a collaborative and loving spirit to resolve the critical health and parenting issues confronting Men.”
Judging from the huge growth in 2009 of International Men’s Day, 2010 will be even greater.
For further information about International Men’s Day visit:
http://www.international-mens-day.com/
CONTACTS:
TRINIDAD and WEST INDIES: Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh
Telephone: 1 868 665 8227
E-Mail: [email protected]
AUSTRALIA: Jason Thompson
E-Mail: [email protected]
AUSTRALIA: Warwick Marsh
Telephone: 011 61 2 4272 6677:
E-Mail: [email protected]
INDIA: Uma Challa:
Telephone: 91 40 97046 83163
E-Mail: [email protected]
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Diane A. Sears
E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-215-292-8522
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Nov 6 - 2009
M E D I A A L E R T
WORLDWIDE OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY, THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2009 BY MEN AND FATHERS, MEN’S GROUPS, FATHERHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, AND FATHERHOOD PRACTITIONERS.
AUSTRALIA – 6 NOVEMBER 2009 -- Men and Fathers, Men’s Groups, Fatherhood Practitioners, and Fatherhood organizations throughout our global village will observe International Men’s Day on Thursday, 19 November 2009. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malta, South Africa, Georgia, New Zealand, Moldova, Germany, Holland and Brazil are a sample of the nations around the globe that are planning activities on International Men’s Day 2009 which will honor the selfless sacrifices of men and celebrate men’s invaluable contributions to families, communities, and society.
International Men’s Day is a call for international collaboration to address the challenges and problems men face; improving gender relations between men and women; promoting gender equality; highlighting positive male role models – not just movie stars and athletes – but “everyday working class men who are living decent, honest lives”; and creating a safer and better world. Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a University of West Indies History Lecturer, conceived and coordinated the first celebration of International Men’s Day in Trinidad and Tobago on 19 November 1999. Dr. Teelucksingh selected 19 November 1999 as the date for celebrating International Men’s Day because it coincided with his father’s birthday, whom he felt was an excellent male role model, and also because it was the day in which the football team in his country created a level of unity which crossed gender, religious and ethnic divisions.
When asked to comment on International Men’s Day, Dr Teelucksingh, the founder, said: "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? The theme for the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day 2009 is ‘Positive Male Role Models’. The theme for the 2010 worldwide observation of International Men’s Day will be ‘Unity’.”
Uma Challa is the International Men’s Day Coordinator for India. She stated: “The inseparability of the male and female entities in the Universe is represented by Ardhanareeswara, who embodies both male & female in Indian culture. This representation indicates that while both the female and male forms have their own individual identities and strengths, they are still interdependent and complementary and, it is only by combining their individual strengths that they are able to create and nurture life in the Universe. International Women's Day is celebrated the world over every year. We also need to have a celebration every year to recognize and honor men; our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends and colleagues; for the numerous services they render and the innumerable sacrifices they make to ensure the health and well-being of the family and the society.”
Warwick Marsh from Australia’s Dads4Kids and the Global Coordinator for International Men’s Day shared his thoughts about the 19 November 2009 worldwide celebration of Men’s Day: “It is my hope that International Men’s Day will be the catalyst for men, Men’s Groups, Fatherhood Practitioners, fatherhood organizations, women, social entrepreneurs, church leaders, health care professionals and providers, legal professionals, legislators, law enforcement professionals, social services professionals and providers, educators, academic and religious institutions, and businesses to begin working together in the spirit of collaboration and with a ‘sense of oneness’ to create, share, and implement key ‘pieces of the puzzle’ to resolving the critical state of affairs of men’s health and to create resources and support services that effectively address the unique health and fathering needs of men. Every idea is important. Every voice must be heard. Together we can make a difference.”
Jason Thompson from Australia and the Global Promotions Coordinator for International Men's Day made the following comment: “International Men’s Day is a day to celebrate all positive examples of men and boys, those people we can look up to and ultimately emulate such as school prefects, academic achievers, political leaders, champions of the environment, and those more humble males who on a daily basis clean our streets, build our houses, fix our cars, police our streets, care for children, and dedicate themselves to others. Blogs, forums and resources are found on the www.international-mens-day.com/ website, available for your use. Please download logos and posters for your event. I would like to take this opportunity to ask individuals and organizations who have an event planned or are in the process of planning an event for International Men’s Day to contact me with the details so that we can publicize your efforts. I can be reached by email at: [email protected] ”
Diane A Sears, the International Men’s Day Coordinator for the United States of America offered the following statement about the 19 November 2009 worldwide observance of International Men’s Day: “I share Warwick Marsh’s sentiment that we all have key ‘pieces of the puzzle’ to addressing and resolving the unique parenting and health issues of Men from all Walks of Life throughout our global village. We must work together as a team. International Men’s Day provides us with a great opportunity ‘to begin to work together in a ‘spirit of collaboration’ and a ‘sense of oneness’ . . . to share our ideas, form strategic alliances, and create and implement resources and support services that will strengthen fathers from all walks of life throughout our global village. Strong fathers create and sustain efficiently functioning family units. Efficiently functioning family units positively shape the minds and souls of our children – our future – our bridge to the future. After all, isn’t it really about our children?”
For more information about the observance of International Men’s Day on 19 November 2009 or for Media Inquiries, visit International Men’s Day website at www.international-mens-day.com/ .
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INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY - 2009
November 19 is International Men’s Day
Men and women across the world will be celebrating International Men’s Day on Thursday, 19 November 2009. International Men’s Day was celebrated for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago on 19 November 1999.
India celebrated International Men’s Day for the first time in the year 2007. This year, India celebrates International Men’s Day for the third time along with Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malta, South Africa, Georgia, New Zealand, Moldova, Germany, Holland and Brazil and other nations around the globe.
Men’s and fathers’ rights groups across the country are planning activities on International Men’s Day 2009 to recognize and honor the selfless sacrifices of men and to celebrate men’s invaluable contributions to families, communities, and society. On this occasion, bike and car rallies will be conducted in all major cities in the country like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Nagpur and Delhi, to reach out to the public and encourage them to celebrate this day.
International Men’s Day is a call for international collaboration to address the challenges and problems men face; for improving gender relations between men and women; for promoting gender equality; and for highlighting positive male role models.
Problems men face:
Every day, men face many of the same problems that women do. These include physical and emotional health issues, work related stress, financial difficulties, problems with family and relationships, and more serious problems like domestic violence, harassment at workplace and sexual abuse. In addition, they suffer legal harassment, financial abuse and forced separation from children through women-centric laws.
Men are conditioned to stifle their emotions and endure pain without complaining. Men hesitate to express themselves for the fear of being ridiculed or discredited. International Men’s Day is an occasion to remind ourselves that men are human, that they experience pain, emotions and tears, and that they deserve our love, care, protection and support every day.
Improving gender relations:
For the last several decades, governments across the world and society tacitly approved the propagation of anti-male sentiments, condoned the resultant diminution in value of men’s lives and supported blatant violation of men’s rights through discriminatory laws and policies, all in the name of women’s rights and empowerment.
This has resulted in a gender war, and led to a steep rise in divorce rates, number of fatherless children, violence against men and number of men ending their own lives. International Men’s Day is an occasion to remind everyone of the need to restore stability in the society by promoting harmony between men and women.
Promoting gender equality:
Women’s empowerment and gender equality are two oft-repeated phrases today. It is sad enough that there are many who take great pride in wearing these labels while remaining completely oblivious of their true import. What is worse is that radical women’s groups and vested interests have successfully subverted the real meaning and purpose of women’s empowerment and gender equality, and are promoting discrimination, injustice and serious human rights abuses in the name of gender equality.
Domestic and social harmony will prevail only when women AND men are ensured their rightful, honorable place within and outside the home. International Men’s Day is an occasion to commit ourselves to ensure true gender equality in the society and under law, so that gender relations are improved, litigations are reduced, legal terrorism and extortion through misuse of the law is eliminated, and our human and financial resources can be employed to ensure a better society for ourselves and future generations.
Highlighting positive male role models:
It is commonplace to idolize movie stars and athletes as role models everywhere in the world. While being overzealous about celebrating and honoring famous personalities, we tend to ignore that every day,
• Men render many services that make the society comfortable for everyone.
• Men make many contributions to science, technology and health of all.
• Men perform the most dangerous and difficult jobs in the world.
• Men take risks and die to save other lives during calamities and war.
• Men bring humor into our lives and make us laugh.
International Men’s Day is an occasion to highlight and promote positive role models in all walks of life. It is a day to remind ourselves to honor all men – academic achievers, social leaders, champions of the environment, artists, comedians, soldiers, farmers, fishermen, fire fighters, and those more humble males who, on a daily basis, clean our streets, build our houses, fix our vehicles, police our streets, deliver newspapers and milk, care for children, and dedicate themselves to others. It is a day to remember that we must celebrate all men in our lives – our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends, neighbors and colleagues.
On this great and joyous occasion, we request all members of the print and electronic media to join us in spreading our message to the entire world.
Organizations observing International Men’s Day in India:
All India Forgotten Women, Andhra Pradesh Mothers-in-law Protection Association, Mothers and Sisters Initiative, Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting, All India Men’s Welfare Association, Gender Human Rights Society, Save Indian Family Foundation, Pati Parivar Kalyan Samiti, Save Family Foundation, Save Family Harmony Foundation, Bhavya Foundation, Rishtey, All India Mothers-in-law Protection Association and Hridaya Foundation.
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