Happy International Men's Day to all our members and friends! As #IMD2019 falls in a UK general election this year, we ask for your support today by sharing the questions below, and putting them to your own election candidates, on Twitter, by email or on the doorstep. (Thread)
Thank you for reading and sharing this thread. The issues raised here are just a small snapshot of the gender-specific issues affecting men and boys on this day, #IMD2019, and every day of the year. Please visit menandboyscoalition.org.uk for more on our members and our campaigns.
@Conservatives @BorisJohnson @jeremycorbyn @LibDems @joswinson @brexitparty_uk @NicolaSturgeon @theSNP @Plaid_Cymru “Will you ensure every survivor of domestic, intimate and sexual abuse has access to the support and refuge they need, regardless of their gender or where they live?”
[There is not a single refuge bed reserved for male victims of domestic abuse in the whole of Greater London.]
[There is not a single refuge bed reserved for male victims of domestic abuse in the whole of Greater London.]
“Will your party ensure that no one with severe mental illness is detained inappropriately in prison?”
[More than half of all prisoners lost to suicide have diagnosed mental illnesses and 97% of prison suicides are male.]
[More than half of all prisoners lost to suicide have diagnosed mental illnesses and 97% of prison suicides are male.]
“What policies will you pursue to encourage the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children?”
[Boys with highly-involved fathers do better at school, have higher self-esteem and are less likely to get into trouble in adolescence.]
[Boys with highly-involved fathers do better at school, have higher self-esteem and are less likely to get into trouble in adolescence.]
“What steps will you take to close the ever-widening attainment gap between boys and girls in education?”
[In 2018, a total of 76,891 more A-Level A*-C grades were awarded to female candidates than to males. 62,000 fewer males than females enrolled at university.]
[In 2018, a total of 76,891 more A-Level A*-C grades were awarded to female candidates than to males. 62,000 fewer males than females enrolled at university.]
“Do you support the creation of a National Men’s Health Strategy, as recommended by the Women's and Equalities Committee in November 2019?
[Men are 56% more likely to develop non gender-specific cancers than women and 67% more likely to die from them.]
[Men are 56% more likely to develop non gender-specific cancers than women and 67% more likely to die from them.]
"What will you do to reverse the rise in rough sleeping homelessness?”
[Rough sleeping has risen by at least 169% since 2010. 86% of rough sleepers are men.]
[Rough sleeping has risen by at least 169% since 2010. 86% of rough sleepers are men.]
"What will you do to reduce the number of boys being excluded from school?"
[Boys are around three times as likely as girls to be given fixed term or permanent exclusions from school.]
[Boys are around three times as likely as girls to be given fixed term or permanent exclusions from school.]
"What measures do you support to increase the safety of boys and young men on our streets?"
[78% of victims of homicides involving knives are male. Both victims and suspects are most commonly aged under 24.]
[78% of victims of homicides involving knives are male. Both victims and suspects are most commonly aged under 24.]
"Will you support the provision of independent legal guardians for migrant unaccompanied minors in England and Wales, as recommended by UNICEF, Children’s Society, NSPCC & 42 other charities?"
[86% of unaccompanied minors arriving in Europe are boys.]
[86% of unaccompanied minors arriving in Europe are boys.]
"What measures do you support to reduce the number of men with untreated/ self-medicated mental illness & improve their access to MH services?"
[2/3 men in the UK said they felt so overcome by stress or anxiety in the previous year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.]
[2/3 men in the UK said they felt so overcome by stress or anxiety in the previous year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.]
