International Men's Day: The Debate

With special guests:

• Clr Phillip Penfold
• Warwick Marsh and
• Dr Elizabeth Celi.

Maitland Council in the picturesque Hunter Valley north of Sydney has made history by becoming the first government organisation in Australia to support International Men’s Day, held on November 19 each year. We’ve become used to all the events and emphasis surrounding International Women’s Day. Some public schools have month long celebrations for International Women’s Day. But International Men’s Day has been an idea that has only been building slowly. Even so, this small step towards equality in the debate and in the funding, which is overwhelmingly orientated to women’s issues, is being fought by feminists on the council. The opponents to the council’s recognition of men’s issues were provided with the opportunity to come on the show.

Clr Philip Penfold says he is baffled by the opposition to the recognition that men have problems as well as women but is gratified by the media storm he has inadvertently created.

Earlier this month The Newcastle Herald recorded that a motion for Maitland City Council to give equal support to International Men’s and Women’s Days has provoked a minor battle of the sexes with the city’s two female councillors voting against the proposal.

Cr Philip Penfold put the motion to a council meeting calling for the council to support International Men’s Day to an extent similar to the support for International Women’s Day, which Cr Penfold said cost the council about $1500.

Cr Penfold said he was concerned that challenges facing men, such as serious health conditions, were not as well-promoted as those faced by women. He argued the council’s support of the day in Maitland, on or about November 19, would help to address the imbalance.

Cr Lisa Tierney, with the backing of Cr Loretta Baker, argued support was warranted to help tackle matters such as male suicide rates but that Cr Penfold’s motion was premature and should be deferred for a year. She declined an opportunity to come on the show.

The male councillors carried the motion, thereby making history.

Clr Philip Penfold is a 36 year old, married father of 2 sons. He was born and bred in Maitland though lived for some time in Queensland and the United States of America. “I am the owner of the local Mortgage Choice franchise and a Justice of the Peace. I was a former Greater Building Society Branch Manager and the former Chief Instructor for Hunter Valley Karate from which I retired in 2008. I am the local facilitator for Dads in Distress and have been a volunteer for Steamfest, Morpeth Jazzfest and have arranged large groups to take part in Clean Up Australia for the past 3 years.”

Warwick Marsh of the Fatherhood Foundation, who has been one of the leading proponents of the day, says everone needs encouragement: “It cuts both ways. Men need a day of their own. Father’s day has risen in the public sphere in recent years, and we hope that International Men’s Day will do the same. Councillor Penfold is ground breaking, he is a pioneers. Around the world the day is gathering momentum. It will become a very important day in the calendar.”

Dr Elizabeth Celi, author of Regular Joe versus Mr Invincible: The Battle For the True Man, said International Men’s Day was more than just about men’s health, it is about celebrating masculinity and the wide variety of roles that men play in the community. In her book, when she asked men to list the strengths they bring to their rleationships, many fell silent. Celebrating IMD might help men recognise the many strengths and abilities that they bring not only to their relationships but to their workplaces and to the community at large.

BACKGROUND TO INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY:

Australians have celebrated International Men’s Day since 2003 when Phil Gouldson of ACT’s Men’s Health and Wellbeing Association launched the inaugural event after receiving an invitation by Trinidad and Tobago’s IMD coordinator Harrack Balramsingh: “Annual observance of International Men’s Day on November 19th seeks to address the problems and challenges facing men…. once again I am inviting you and your organization to Observe International Men’s Day on November 19th 2003.” Mr Gouldson took up this invitation and organized a public gathering in Canberra and gave a speech to the Australian Federal Police on men’s issues to mark the event. The day included a special press release by MHWA, an article in the Canberra Times, radio interview, and interstate coverage which resulted in many organizations around Australia contacting the association for more details; many undertook thier own celebrations and the response was both positive and enthusiastic. Mr. Gouldson asked those attending the day to wear a red rose to mark the occasion, which symbolised strength of character and courage in meeting the challenges men face in building better, safer communities and in reaching their full potential.

This was not the first time Australians had called for an International Men’s Day, and the issue had been tabled in the ACT parliament in 2002:

“I have heard a lot of talk about the word ‘rights’ in this debate to date” said Mr. Cornwell, “[but] what about some responsibility, what about some equality and what about merit? …. I have a question about this on the notice paper-that we have affirmative action and International Women’s Day. I do not know whatever happened to International Men’s Day. It appears that this does not count. Yet women are constantly talking about equality. Where is the equality in having an International Women’s Day but no International Men’s Day? It does not seem to me to be very equal.

Mr. Cornwell was suggesting recognition of IMD not simply because women have an International Women’s Day, but rather that a men’s day could highlight issues unique to men’s experiences and therefore deserved equal recognition by reason of fairness. As stated by International Men’s Day pioneers, the IMD event ‘is not intended to compete against the women’s day. Instead the goal is to foster better relations between men and women.’

Following the successful 2003 inauguration of IMD by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Association, the occasion was again raised in discussion in ACT parliament. Again Mr. Cornwell raised the question of why International Men’s Day had been roundly neglected in the parliament:

International Men’s Day 2003

MR CORNWELL (4.42): I must admit that, when I came in here today, I thought I was in the middle of a group of Yorkists but I could see no Lancastrian red roses. Nevertheless, I discovered that it was in fact the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. I have no objection to this day, although I feel that, unfortunately, in these days of political correctness, femo-fascists and affirmative action, we should also have some access and equity applied. How many members realise what last Wednesday, 19 November, was? It was International Men’s Day. Was this celebrated? Did I see any indication in this chamber of white badges? Did I see any indication of anything?….

The answer is no, Mr Pratt. There was nothing. Nobody came barging into my room waving these things. Mr Speaker, I do not know whether you gave permission for these things to be delivered. I understood we had an arrangement in this place that, if people wanted to sell chocolates, ribbons or whatever, they could put something on the internet and people could go to their office and collect them. I did not think my office had to be invaded by people simply because it happened to be the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

I would have thought that, if we were going to be even-handed and we were going to espouse access and equity, this government, in its usual comprehensive and compassionate approach in extending assistance to any threatened minority, would have been keen to recognise 19 November as International Men’s Day but I saw nothing. I must have missed it. I heard and saw nothing. In fact, if it had not been for a comment in the Canberra Times the day after, I would not have been aware of it-and yet this government is always so keen to advise us of things of importance in the community. It appears, however, that that importance is directed at only one sex… I am not sure.

I wonder how this government celebrated International Men’s Day. I do not expect, Minister, that you are going to spring to your feet and give me that answer now. I have saved you the trouble: I have put a question on the notice paper seeking advice into what arrangements the government made for International Men’s Day and what arrangements the government made for International Women’s Day on 8 March this year.

Aside from the apathy in political circles the inaugural celebration was hailed a success. After the 2003 event interest in International Men’s Day increased in Australia and numerous non-governmental bodies and churches held their own celebrations. In 2004 Phil Gouldson and MHWA organized a larger event again with press conference, radio interviews, and newspaper articles. The event was held at Glebe Park, Civic Canberra where Minister for Health Simon Corbell MLA was special guest and speaker. The theme highlighted this year was men’s health and Mr. Corbell noted that it was a very important day as it offered an opportunity to encourage men consider their own needs and that men’s health outcomes were not as good or well attended as women’s. The 2004 event included a two day conference ‘MPowered 04’ hosted by the Christian City Church and Australian Men’s Network which was held in Watson and aimed at encouraging men to become the fathers and leaders society expected. Mr. Gouldson said that “Our families, the general public, health-care workers, educators and policy makers all need to understand and consider masculinity and come together to create a future where boys can grow into men who take an active role in creating a better and safer world for all, as teachers, carers, lovers, leaders, partners, supporters, healers, and mentors.”

In consultation with organizers from other nations, Australian IMD coordinator Phil Gouldson has outlined the following broad objectives of International Men’s Day:

• Celebrate manhood and the wonderful positive and valuable contributions our men, young men, and boys make to our communities and to our societies
• Promote and Support gender equality, encouraging men to address responsibly and positively the challenges facing them in society
• Demonstrate strength of character and courage in meeting the challenges that men face in society and in contributing to building stronger and better communities, where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

IMD celebrations were held in 2005 by MHWA, and continued in 2006-08 with interested community groups and churches. In 2008 interest in men’s contribitions were highlighted with the rediscovery of the sunken vessel HMAS Sydney off the coast of Geralton in Western Australia, in which 645 men lost their lives during the Second World War. For this reason the 2008 IMD promoted the theme of sacrifice, and coordinator Warwick Marsh of Dads4Kids wrote, “The 19th of November is historically a day of great significance for every Australian. In 1941 it was the day HMAS Sydney was lost….. The theme for the International Men’s Day 2008 is ‘Honour and Sacrifice’ . This commemorates what our Aussie men, sons, fathers and grandfathers, both past and present, have sacrificed for their families, communities, and the nation.” The event was celebrated in the historic Parkes Room at New South Wales Parliament House, where a minute’s silence was observed at 1PM in memory of the 645 men who lost their life on the 19th November 1941. Speakers at the event included Dr Elizabeth Celi, author and Men’s Health advocate, and men and fathers consultant Rob Koch who said “November 19 is a date to validate. Men don’t seem to need recognition, approval or appreciation but when it does come his way, even on just one day, he can stand a little taller all the other days. He may shrug off the attention at the time but there will be a noticeably new spring in his step. That’s got to be good for everyone.” In her keynote address Dr. Celi said, “International Men’s Day is one of many acknowledgements we need to make to men for their valuable contributions to our society and our families. Their masculine qualities are a strength that focuses and grounds women. Trust me, a world with only women would be no fun at all… To all the blokes out there, Happy International Men’s Day. To all the women, text your men friends and wish them a happy International Men’s Day.”

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