On International Men’s Day, a range of academics, charities and campaigners wrote to the government and all political parties asking them to support IMD and also to hold a debate every year in Parliament.
The letter went to all parties:
- Conservatives (Government)
- Labour
- Liberal Democrats
- SNP
- Plaid Cymru
- Greens
- UKIP
- DUP
Plaid Cymru were the only party to formally recognise International Men’s Day and called for more focus on men’s health in Wales.
The Government through the Government’s Equality and Women’s Minister replied to the letter below:
Response from the Government Equalities Office
Thank you for your letter of the 19th of November. As you know, a parliamentary debate on Male Suicide and International Men’s Day took place in Westminster Hall that day.
The Government was represented by the Minister of State for Community and Social Care, the Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP who, amongst other things, spoke about male suicide and explained that mental health is a key priority for this Government.
He also said, with regards to issues specifically facing men, that they should be discussed in their own right, and this does not need to be at the expense of the debate on issues facing women.
The Government recognises that we will only achieve gender equality if we make the argument for it to both men and women.
We will continue to engage men in the conversation about gender equality, in the knowledge that it is beneficial for society, not just women or men.
Our work is underpinned by our equality legislation, which is some of the strongest in Europe.
Government Equalities Office