Men’s health awareness

Derry city council in assoication with Men’s Action Network (MAN) are encouraging people to focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.

MAN is hoping to highlight discrimination against men and boys and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.

Supporting the event Londonderry’s Mayor Colum Eastwood said, “Men make up almost half the population in Northern Ireland. However their issues largely go unheard unless it is to highlight their shortcomings.

“I think its very worthwhile that Council have joined with the Men’s Action Network to highlight the issues concerning men.

“Attention tends to focus negatively on men’s actions and behaviours as opposed to highlighting their issues regarding their thoughts, feelings, attitudes or values and I would encourage people to come along to the event and join in this debate.”

Michael Lynch, Director of Services and Development with MAN said, “MAN welcomes the support of DCC in helping us organise this event which offers us the opportunity to reach the wider community and raise awareness of many issues related to the health and well-being of men and boys as well as the challenges this poses to many who work or wish to engage with men and boys within their service provision.”

Representatives from SEEDS and the Rainbow Project have also been invited along to give the perspectives of issues faced by men from minority ethnic communities and by gay men.

This occasion also provides attendees with the opportunity to become acquainted with the support mechanisms that are available to them in the form of the local groups and organisations who operate in this field.

This event is open to all and if you wish to attend the event, interested people are urged to contact the Equality Officer at Derry City Council on telephone no 028 71 365151 or text phone 028 71 376646.