Mens equality month

Men's Equality Month (MEM) is an annual observance that takes place throughout November. It is dedicated to raising awareness of issues defined as "gender disadvantages" affecting men and boys globally, and advocating for policy changes and legislation to address them. The month was formally inaugurated in 2024 by the International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB). MEM is intended to serve as a broader campaign framework surrounding International Men's Day (IMD), which is celebrated on November 19.

History and Context

Men's Equality Month builds upon the foundation of International Men's Day (IMD), which was established in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. IMD, observed on November 19, focuses on promoting positive male role models, celebrating men's contributions, and focusing on men's health and well-being, guided by its six pillars.

The MEM initiative emerged from a coalition of men's advocacy groups that argued that numerous male issues, such as the widening life expectancy gap, high suicide rates, and educational disparities, have been systematically ignored by mainstream institutions. The conceptual core of MEM is rooted in the research documented by Dr. Warren Farrell, author of the books The Myth of Male Power and The Boy Crisis. The ICMB took Farrell's documentation of male disadvantages in the United States and expanded it into a list of 12 global gender disadvantages affecting men and boys.

The stated goal of MEM is to transform November from a day of symbolic recognition (IMD) into a month dedicated to active lobbying and policy advocacy to address these alleged systemic disadvantages, thereby promoting "Gender Equality For Men."

The International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB) and the 12 Areas of Disadvantage

The International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB) is the founding non-governmental organization behind MEM. It is working to end the 12 alleged sex disparities that affect men and boys around the world. The ICMB positions itself as a leader in the "emerging global movement" to address these issues.

The ICMB, in collaboration with supporting coalitions (such as "A Coalition to Create a White House Council on Boys & Men" in the United States), uses Men's Equality Month to promote its 12-point agenda. The ICMB and its allies claim that men and boys face global systemic disadvantages in the following areas:

• Health and Life Expectancy: Men die on average 5 years earlier than women, and men account for approximately 80% of suicide deaths (triple the rate of women). Divorced fathers are also ten times more likely to die by suicide than divorced mothers. The ICMB claims this area is often neglected, citing examples like the establishment of a White House initiative on women's health research without a corresponding initiative for men's health.
• Education and Literacy: Boys underperform in education and face higher illiteracy rates in almost all countries surveyed. In higher education, men are lagging, constituting only 42% of bachelor's degrees awarded in the U.S. in 2021.
• Criminal Justice System: It is claimed that men receive harsher sentencing and differential treatment throughout the legal process. For example, data shows females received sentences 29.2% shorter than males for similar federal crimes in the U.S..
• Parenting and Custody: Men allegedly face court biases, resulting in harsher treatment and undue child support burdens, and difficulty in achieving equal shared parenting. The ICMB highlights that divorced fathers face severe mental health risks.
• Workplace Safety: Men face significantly higher rates of death (15 times higher) and injury in the workplace due to concentration in physically dangerous occupations.
• Homelessness: Men are highly overrepresented in the homeless population, estimated at between 70% and 76%.
• Victims of Violence: Men and boys face higher rates of homicide and death from criminal violence and in war zones.
• Intimate Partner Abuse: The claim is that men experience partner abuse at rates similar to women but receive fewer support services.
• False Allegations: The focus is on the social and legal harm caused by false accusations, particularly in family court settings, harming both the accused and the real victims.
• Boys' Issues: Challenges related to the Boy Crisis, including child labor, child soldiers, and the negative impact of "Dad Deprivation" (father absence) on development.
• Reproductive and Adoption Rights: Claimed exclusion of fathers from decision-making processes regarding reproduction and adoption rights.
• Media Portrayal: Alleged negative, stereotypical, or imbalanced depiction of men in the media, with one ICMB claim stating men receive 69% unfavorable coverage.

Observance and Activities

MEM is characterized by a push for organized, policy-focused action encouraged by the ICMB. The goal is to move beyond general awareness into legislative pressure.

Key Campaigns and International Activities:

• Lobbying Events: The ICMB coordinates lobbying events in national capitals, such as the planned event in Washington D.C. on November 5th and 6th.
• UN Event: A central feature is the annual reception that was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on November 19 2024, coinciding with International Men's Day.
• "She for He" Campaign: The ICMB launched the "She for He" campaign in July 2024 to encourage women's solidarity with men on critical issues. This campaign is a clear effort to challenge the focus of the UN's HeForShe movement.
• Media Campaigns: Campaigns are conducted using the social media hashtags #MensEqualityMonth and #GenderEqualityForMen.

Recommended Activities for Local Groups: The ICMB encourages organizations to serve as "Country Coordinators" and hold various events aimed at political and media pressure:

• Organizing 'themed marches' or public events focused on men's and boys' issues at national or state capitals.
• Securing official proclamations and statements from government officials and asking lawmakers to give one-minute speeches from the floor of the legislative chamber.
• Conducting educational workshops, health fairs, and public forums in local communities and schools.
• Developing and publishing media content, including podcast series and articles, throughout November.

Comparison to Other Observances

Men's Equality Month differentiates itself from other November observances, such as IMD and Movember, by emphasizing systemic political change over personal wellness or charity fundraising.

• International Men's Day (IMD): Its primary goal is promoting positive male role models, general health, and well-being, and celebrating men's contributions. Activities focus on individual development, community contribution, and general wellness.
• Movember: Its primary goal is fundraising and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention. Activities focus on charity, physical challenges (like "Grow a Mo" or moving 60km for the 60 men lost to suicide globally every hour), and medical health awareness.
• Men's Equality Month (MEM): Its primary goal is addressing 12 systemic gender disadvantages and demanding policy and legislative change. Its activities focus on political advocacy, lobbying, and challenging judicial, educational, and media disparities.

While the more established observances focus on internal development and medical health, MEM's explicit focus is on external factors—perceived systemic bias and discrimination—positioning it as a political movement advocating for a specific legislative agenda.

See also

• International Men's Day
• Men's rights movement
• Masculism
• Warren Farrell

References

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