International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19 2017 (Picture: Internationalmensday.com)

International Men’s Day is a global event that promotes the awareness of male health, discrimination and gender relations.

It was founded in 1998 in Trinidad and Tobago and has gone on to receive support from individuals and social groups across the globe.

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The event encourages men to be positive male role models.

More importantly, it also focuses on the achievements and contributions that men have made and in particular, their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care, whilst highlighting the discrimination against them.


When is International Men’s Day?

It will be celebrated on Sunday 19 November.

Why do we celebrate it?

International Men’s Day is celebrated in over 60 countries of the world.



The theme for 2017 is: Celebrate Men and Boys.

Great "A Cut Above" event for #internationalmensday at the Old Fire Station in Leeds https://t.co/NcGTLHXKP1 pic.twitter.com/3AcLiJcKBJ — UK Men's Day (@UKMensDay) November 4, 2017

The November IMD is a significant date as it crosses with the popular Movember charity event and also with Universal Children’s Day on 20 November with which IMD forms a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively, and of the special bonds they share.

According to the website, the organisers of International Men’s Day say the event is an opportunity for people everywhere of goodwill to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all.

To celebrate the event the website says: ‘Commemorating International Men’s Day have included public seminars, conferences, festivals and fundraisers, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, Church observances, and peaceful displays and marches.’

What issues does the event address? The high male suicide rate.

The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education including attainment.

Men’s health, shorter life expectancy and workplace deaths.

The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society (for instance, homeless men, boys in care and the high rate of male deaths in custody).

Male victims of violence, including sexual violence.

The challenges faced by men as parents, particularly new fathers and separated fathers.

Male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based crime, stalking and slavery.

The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers.

MORE: International Men’s Day: Why feminists should stop bitching and get behind the annual celebration of men and boys

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