Headquartered in Waterford, Ireland, the Men’s Development
Network (https://mens-network.net/) is a charity that assists marginalized men in improving their relationships with women and each other and in taking better care
of their health. The organization
joined individuals, organizations, and institutions throughout our global
village in observing 2019 International Men’s Day on Tuesday, 19 November 2019
by combining its orchestration of the global grassroots observance with the
White Ribbon Campaign – an initiative that works to address and eradicate
gender-based violence. Men throughout
Ireland were asked to take the White Ribbon Pledge to never commit, excuse, or
remain silent about men’s violence against women.
When reached for comment, Mr. Sean Cooke, Chief Executive
Officer of the Men’s Development Network had this to say:
“Being a man and standing up against male violence on women
is a very positive thing. I understand
the concern that it might not be the most positive point to come from when
we’re celebrating men on their day, but we also want men to support each other,
to look out for each other, to listen to each other, and to be the best man
they can be – the best father, the best brother, etc. We want men to reconnect
with friends, spouses, family, and community. Lots of men are doing fantastic
things, and we need to acknowledge them as men. That lad in the community
quietly doing great work is a man. For me, Men’s Day is also about men taking
the time to look at themselves – the best bits about themselves, their best
aspirations – and about looking out for your friend. It’s about making that
call you’ve been putting off, or acknowledging that good deed.”
The
Men’s Development Network is an equality-focused organization which administers
a men’s health program, men’s advice telephone hotline, a counseling service
for men, and a men’s domestic violence intervention program. It also works in schools and communities. Currently, the Men’s Development Network is
developing a “Man Of The Month” Campaign which will recognize male role models
who “do things that are not normally seen as male”.
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