LEAD Network to Celebrate International Men’s Day on November 19

On November 19, LEAD Network will join the global celebration of International Men’s Day (IMD) by honouring the men in our community who role model inclusive behaviour and make a positive contribution to our workplaces, families, communities and wider society. 

We thank these valued members for their daily acts of allyship which move us ever closer toward our vision for a diverse and equitable workforce across the European Retail and CPG sector, where everyone can contribute and grow, and where organisations thrive.   

Achieving a truly gender-equitable future requires us to recognise and address the distinct challenges that people of different genders face, which hold us ALL back. IMD is therefore a timely opportunity to reflect on the diverse spectrum of male identities, and what it means to navigate the workplace in the face of stereotypical forms of masculinity.   

This can be particularly challenging for trans men, LGBTQ+ community members, men who are active parents, single parents, taking extended leave for caregiving reasons, those living with mental or physical health conditions, and many others. Persistent social stigma result in many men still feeling unable to voice their struggles. And sadly, harmful stereotypes and toxic masculinity are part of the reason that the global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women.  

It’s important to remember we’re all fighting battles others may not see. So, we also see today as an opportunity to call for greater openness and attention on men’s mental health, and a reminder about the importance of allyship.  

When we focus on making workplaces more inclusive for women and under-represented or historically excluded groups, men also benefit. Because the advantages of an inclusive workplace include being able to be yourself, being valued for the contributions you bring, better relationships, better mental health, and better leadership. Being an ally is not simply acting ‘on behalf of’ another group - it’s doing it for yourself too. Effective allyship means care and flexibility are afforded to all.  

 Looking for inspiration on actions you can take? Check out our tips: 

 #InternationalMensDay #GenderEquity #MensHealth #Allyship #LEADNetwork