International Men's Day 2023
 

Mr President, International Men’s Day is celebrated on the 19th November every year by about 80 countries across the world.  This year’s theme “Healthy Men, Healthy World” aims to shine a light on the issue of men and boys’ health – a subject I’ve mentioned many times in this place, highlighting the alarming men’s health statistics, inequity in funding to address these issues and the under-representation for men’s health (virtually non-existence Mr President) in this State at a policy level.

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One key aim of IMD is to highlight male health and wellbeing issues, including 50 Australian men a day are dying from preventable causes before they reach the age of 75,  Australian men still die an average of 7 years younger than Australian women, men and boys account for; 3 in 4 suicides, 4 in 5 heart disease deaths under 75, 3 in 4 alcohol-related deaths, 3 in 4 road deaths, 96% of workplace deaths and 70% of deaths in young people aged 15-34. 

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Mr President, it is important to note that in my recent correspondence to the Premier about these issues I also stated that there are a number of equity areas which still need increased focus, funding and improved conditions for women within our community and are reinforced and can be found via the 2022-27 Tasmanian Women’s Strategy – this shouldn’t be seen as a gendered conflict but more so as raising awareness.

In a quote in the 20-23 Tasmania Gender Budget Snapshot:

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“The Tasmanian Government recognises that all Tasmanians, regardless of gender have the right to equal access to government programs and services. It expects the need, voices and rights of women, men and gender diverse people to be reflected in the development of policies and program.”

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Good words Mr President, so I went to the DPAC website and the Community Partnerships and Priorities are impressive - including aboriginal partnerships and heritage, children and young people, the disability sector and also includes Community Policy and Engagement (CPE)

 

The CPE professes to lead the development and implementation of whole-of-Government policies, strategies, and programs that support diverse communities and lived experiences, have representatives of:

• women;

• people with disability;

• carers;

• older people;

• multicultural communities;

• the LGBTIQ+ community;

• children and young people;

• volunteers; and

• veterans

 

Indeed, of the 20 advisory groups, 5 of them specifically mention women which is great. One of those groups is International Women’s Day, open that link and you find strategies, women small grants rounds, honour rolls, significant women, access to Minister for Women and more.

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However, Mr President you put International Men’s Day in the search engine, nothing … absolutely nothing – men receive no mention as a sector and no specific representation at all.

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Mr President, men should have a seat at the CPE table to help inform policy and act as a conduit to many male groups actually trying to make a positive difference and strengthen our community.

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The IMD theme “Healthy Men, Healthy World” is very relevant and we need to make change. Research has shown that the best way to improve men’s health is to tackle the underlying social factors that shape our health, like education, our experiences of fatherhood, our working lives, our social connections and our access to male-friendly services.

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Mr President we can take comfort in that around the state that men are starting to support each other through local community-based activities such as Men's Sheds, the work of Men’s Resources Tasmania and attending local events run by ‘Man Up Tasmania’.

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Whilst there are many ways IMD can be acknowledged, most celebrations will share the common objectives of valuing male role models, improving male health and acknowledging the contribution of men and boys in our community.

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The recognition of IMD is growing in Tasmania with events organised across the state:

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For instance, the MRT breakfast on the 17th in Sandy Bay and a breakfast at Penguin Lions Club and then on the 20th lunch at the Circular Head Men’s Shed.

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Alistair Lynch, AFL Legend is the guest speaker at the DCCI breakfast event on Tuesday 21st and I thought I would also let you know Ivan Cunningham, who is doing the ‘Swims around Tassie’ which is 22 swims in 22 days, he's raised $4,000 already.

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Mr President Men are willing to be part of the solution and are fundraising to help our male organisations which run off the smell of an oily rag and the goodwill of some volunteers, to provide much needed support and assistance to Tasmanian males.

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I’ve also committed myself to sponsoring a local event his year, a ‘BBQ at Bellsy’ event in Latrobe.

Bellsy is the local name for Bells Parade and this will be on Sunday 19th November, 12.00pm to 2.30pm.  The event is a free Family Fun Day and offers a BBQ lunch ($) provided by the Latrobe Community Shed Group, or attendees can bring their own BBQ/picnic lunch. There will be a range of sporting and recreational activities on offer, volleyball, cricket, table tennis, a display by the Mustang Owners Club of Australia and the Devonport Poultry Club, live music and members of the very talented Devonport Men’s and Women’s Strikers local soccer club will be in attendance.

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I genuinely believe that today’s Government, and future governments, could bring tangible support to our men's organisations, which proactively look to bettering the lives of this silent section of our community. As I have said I’ve written to the Premier on this topic and met with him earlier this year to discuss these points.

Indeed, let’s start a conversation about the issues impacting so many men and look at what can be done to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

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Addressing male wellbeing outcomes is good for all of us so this IMD, stay healthy, take action, check in on a mate and maybe we can all improve men’s health and strengthen our communities together.