Welcome

Former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson MP“This International Men’s Day let us recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution  that men and boys make to our society – and make sure that they are not alone to suffer in silence.”
Former Prime Minister, Theresa May MP: “I recognise the important  issues this event seeks to highlight including men’s health, male suicide rates and the underperformance of boys in schools, these are serious issues that must be addressed in a considered way.”

Welcome to International Men’s Day  (#internationalmensday) in the UK.

International Men’s Day in the UK is on 19 November every year (Tuesday in 2024). It is marked  across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and the whole world. Check out the events calendar (we can list yours too!) and our themes page and ideas page. We are also on social media too (see end).

Many organisations and people hold events and activities in the week before and the week after, especially if it falls on a weekend like this year (generic undated IMD images can be found in the images section). Please do not be constrained by the day of the week.

Who takes part?

Every year, International Men’s Day in the UK is marked by more and more women, men and organisations across the country.  Across November there are Parliamentary debates, policy launches, employer days (perfect for showcasing Equality Diversity Inclusion – EDI), community events, health days, business events, staff support days, debates, student events, political events, lectures, research launches, gigs, charity promotion days,  book launches, mental health discussions, film showings, conferences, competitions, comedy nights, get-togethers, award announcements and charity fundraisers – the most anywhere in the world.

There were c200 organisations involved in 2018, 2019 and 2020In 2021 though there was an estimated 400 organisations and 2022 was the best yet with over 600. There were over 100,000 tweets and it was the hottest trend for hours!  

Organisations and people do not have to stick to holding an event or celebration on 19 November if they want to mark the day. 

The three core themes for International Men’s Day in the UK which are used every year to help  maximise participation are:

  • Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
  • Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
  • Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity

Please feel free to use any of them (or a combination) as a “guide/framework” for any events and activities that you may hold. Many focus on “Better Health for Men and Boys”, “It’s OK to Talk” “Supporting male wellbeing” and “Raising awareness/funds for x” type-themes, for example. Many also get involved and invite/support charities and other groups. We keep it general because people/organisations have told us they do not want to be constrained  by one specific theme on one specific topic. Please see the themes page for more information and ideas.

These core themes help to address some of the issues that affect men and boys such as:

  • The high male suicide rate
  • The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education and work including attainment, re-training, stress, redundancy and unemployment
  • Men’s health (including male cancers), shorter life expectancy, body image and workplace deaths – plus the health impact of Covid-19
  • The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society – for instance, homeless men, boys in care, school excluded boys and the high rate of male deaths in custody
  • Male victims of violence and crime – for instance, bullying, sexual violence, gang violence, and, those coerced into county lines and other criminal activity
  • 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. online image-abuse, sextortion and modern slavery
  • The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers

Key statistics on the above can be found here

How to get involved!

To help with ideas on how to get involved, this page may help, plus  many organisations and people looked at what others were doing in 2022, 2021, 2020, 20192018 (and here), 20172016  and in 2015. See who was involved in 2021 and 2022.

International Men’s Day (IMD) is a global day of observance held every year around the world. It invites every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to come together, to support and celebrate men and boys in all their diversity.

IMD in the UK takes a gender inclusive approach and therefore believes in ensuring that issues affecting women and girls are also resolved.  It also recognises the intersection between gender and other factors such as race, place, class  and sexuality which can compound the inequalities affecting men and boys.

We trust that you will find the information on this website valuable in spurring you into celebrating the role men and boys play in our society, highlighting the barriers they face and having some serious fun. If you need further information, please contact us here.

If you are interested in Men and Boys issues all year round – please look at the Men and Boys Coalition.

Best wishes and good luck!

Ally, Ben, Caroline, Dan, Duncan, Geoffrey, Glen, Mark, Maz, Sonia and Yousif

 

The platform and brand for International Men’s Day in the UK is the responsibility of the Men and Boys Coalition charity.

Men and Boys Coalition