Growing Enthusiasm and Support for Ministers for Men, Especially Among Women

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Buchanan

Telephone: +44 7967 026163

Growing Enthusiasm and Support for Ministers for Men, Especially Among Women

September 18, 2023 – Around the world, men are lagging in many areas, such as occupational injuries (1), suicide (2), award of child custody (3), services for male victims of domestic violence (4), and more (5). In response, gender equality advocates are now calling for the establishment of ministers and commissions that are focused on supporting the needs and concerns of men.

United Kingdom: Since 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Issues Affecting Men and Boys has examined the range of problems affecting men (6). On September 5, APPG Chair Nick Fletcher, MP appeared on the BBC Woman’s Hour to propose the establishment of Minister for Men (7). In response, numerous supportive editorials and news articles have been published (5).

United States: In recent months, Senators Marco Rubio (8) and Josh Hawley (9) have published documents highlighting the challenges faced by men and boys. During the August 23 Republican presidential debate, Senator Tim Scott highlighted how misguided welfare policies have served to drive Black men out of their families.

Human Rights Council: On September 7, the Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance (DAVIA) petitioned the UN Human Rights Council to open an inquiry into the global status of boys and men (10). The Council is urged to debate the proposal during its September 25 annual discussion on Integration of a Gender Perspective into HRC policies (11).

Women have become some of the strongest proponents of these initiatives. In the United Kingdom:

MP Katherine Fletcher was one of the first persons to call for a Minister for Men (12).
Columnist Rachel Moore referred to the Minister for Men proposal as “a great idea.” (13)
Writer Jemima Lewis acknowledged that “British men are in crisis.” (14)

In Norway Camilla Stoltenberg, member of the Men’s Equality Commission, is a strong proponent of addressing the gender achievement gap in schools (15).

In the United States:

Fredericka Wilson was the champion of a bill to establish a Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (16).
In Washington State, four out of six sponsors of a bill to establish a Commission on Boys and Men are female (17).
Numerous women have endorsed the creation of a White House Council on Boys and Men (18).

The International Council for Men and Boys encourages all lawmakers to take steps to establish ministers and commissions devoted to assuring gender equality for men and boys around the world.

The International Council for Men and Boys is working to end the sex disparities that affect men and boys around the world. www.menandboys.net

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