Saturday 19th November is International Men’s Day in the UK. It originated in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 and has since spread to the rest of the world. Leading officials in UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) openly support the designation of this day.
The University of Kent was one of the first institutions in the UK to celebrate International Men’s Day in 2008 and it has been growing in popularity throughout institutions in the rest of the UK since. Now Exeter University is coming out in support too!
On Monday 21st November there will be two stalls designated to celebrating International Men’s Day.
What’s going on when?
From 11am-3pm in Devonshire Hall (between Coffee Express and the Ram pub) there will be a stall dedicated to raising awareness of and fundraising for the prevention of male cancers (prostate, penile and testicular). There will be lots of literature on male cancer including who is as risk, what symptoms to look out for, how to self-examine and what support is available.
Alongside this, we will have a “Bling my Boxers” rail to help raise money for Orchid, the only charity devoted entirely to male cancer. Members of Art Society, Gender Equality Society and some very charitable individuals have been ‘blinging up’ some regular boxers (small, medium and large) to sell on to students. They will be £5 each and all designs are unique!
In the Queen’s Building foyer from 10am-5pm we will have another stall devoted to promoting positive male role models and highlighting the differences amongst men. Come along to send a card or postcard to a man or boy that you love in your life. A card, stamp and envelope will all be provided and we will send the cards off for you all for £1.50 each. The cards, like the boxers are all unique and contributed by some fantastically arty and kind people!
How can you help?
We will have a display board of photos celebrating all the different kinds of men and male relationships – men as fathers, brothers, boyfriends, sons, friends, and cousins. If you wish to contribute a photo, please email gender-equality@hotmail.co.uk or take your photos to the Information Point desk on the ground floor in Devonshire House.
If you fancy volunteering on one of the stalls for any time from one hour to all day, please do email me at gender-equality@hotmail.co.uk.
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