Nov, 20 2025
On November 19, 2025, the world will tune in for a historic 9-hour global webcast to mark International Men's Day under the theme 'Celebrating Men and Boys.' Originating from Sydney, Australia, the live broadcast runs from 3:00 PM to midnight Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), weaving together voices from six continents in real time. This isn’t just another awareness campaign—it’s a deliberate, timed effort to turn a single day into a ripple of connection, especially for fathers, mentors, and community leaders who often go unseen in public discourse.
A Day Built on Overlapping Movements
November 2025 is being framed as a month-long crescendo for male well-being. International Men's Day doesn’t stand alone. It sits between Movember, the month-long fundraiser for prostate and mental health, and International Children's Day on November 20. That 48-hour window—from the evening of the 19th to the morning of the 20th—is being called a "celebration of men and children," highlighting the profound, often unspoken bonds between fathers and sons, uncles and nephews, coaches and boys.
"It’s not about replacing Women’s Day or competing with it," says a senior organizer who spoke anonymously. "It’s about recognizing that boys grow into men in environments that rarely teach them how to be vulnerable. When a father cries at his son’s school play and no one talks about it—that’s the silence we’re trying to break."
The Webcast: More Than a Series of Talks
The webcast, hosted from a studio in Sydney, will feature 27 speakers across 14 countries. Among them: a Maori elder from New Zealand sharing traditional rites of passage, a former NFL player turned therapist from Chicago, a Nigerian community organizer working with boys in informal settlements, and a school counselor from Oslo who reduced male student dropout rates by 37% in three years using peer mentoring.
Registration—required to receive a personalized viewing link—isn’t just about access. It’s about accountability. Organizers say over 110,000 people have already signed up from 89 nations. "We’re not selling tickets," says the website. "We’re inviting participation. If you’ve ever been the man who held someone’s hand after a loss, you belong here."
Corporate Silence and Cultural Echoes
While grassroots momentum builds, corporate participation remains uneven. LBB Online recently questioned whether brands should "show up" for the day at all. "Some might think every day is already men’s day," the article reads, "yet the realities facing boys and men in 2025 tell a different story. Rising mental health crises, suicide rates among men under 35 up 22% since 2019, and the erosion of fatherhood narratives in media—that’s not a myth. That’s data."
In contrast, Hindustan Times published a widely shared guide titled "Top 50+ Wishes, Images, Status, Greetings to Share With Special Men in Your Life," reflecting how cultural traditions adapt global observances. In India, the day is becoming less about activism and more about personal acknowledgment—a card, a call, a shared meal. Both approaches matter.
Why This Matters Beyond November 19
Men die, on average, five years earlier than women in most developed nations. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45 in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Yet fewer than 30% of men seek therapy before a crisis hits, according to the World Health Organization. This webcast isn’t just about celebration—it’s a lifeline. It’s about normalizing the idea that asking for help isn’t weakness. That being present for your child is strength. That community isn’t optional.
"We’ve spent decades telling men to be strong," says Dr. Elias Nkosi, a psychologist in Johannesburg who’ll be speaking during the broadcast. "We never told them what strength looks like when it’s quiet. When it’s showing up. When it’s listening. That’s the version of manhood we’re trying to amplify."
What Comes After the Webcast?
Organizers say the event won’t end at midnight AEDT. A digital toolkit—free to download—will include conversation starters for fathers and sons, links to free mental health services in 40 languages, and a map of local men’s circles already active in cities from Cape Town to Calgary. The goal? To turn one night of connection into 365 days of community.
"If you watch one thing this November," says the event’s tagline, "let it be this: You are not alone. And neither is the man you love."
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I participate in the International Men's Day 2025 webcast if I’m not in Australia?
Registration is open globally at internationalmensday.com. Once you sign up, you’ll receive a personalized link and a time-zone converter showing exactly when the broadcast starts in your location. The event runs from 3 PM to midnight AEDT on November 19, which translates to 8 PM the previous day in New York and 11 AM in London. All sessions are recorded and archived for 30 days after the event.
Why is Sydney chosen as the host city for this global event?
Sydney’s time zone allows the broadcast to begin during evening hours in Asia and the Pacific, continue through Europe and Africa, and end as morning begins in the Americas. This creates a seamless 9-hour window where no major region is excluded. The city also hosts one of the world’s largest men’s health advocacy networks, making it a natural logistical and symbolic hub.
Is this event only for men, or can women attend too?
The event is explicitly open to everyone. Organizers emphasize that celebrating men and boys is not a gender-exclusive mission—it’s a community one. Mothers, teachers, partners, and allies are encouraged to register. In fact, over 42% of registrants so far identify as women or non-binary. The goal is to build a culture where support for men is seen as a shared responsibility.
What’s the connection between International Men's Day and Movember?
Movember focuses on health—prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health—through fundraising and awareness. International Men’s Day broadens the lens to include emotional well-being, fatherhood, social roles, and positive male role models. They’re complementary: Movember asks, "Are men getting the care they need?" International Men’s Day asks, "Are we creating a world where men feel safe to ask for it?"
Are there any real-world outcomes from past International Men’s Day events?
Yes. After the 2023 webcast, over 1,200 community groups in 34 countries launched men’s circles—weekly peer support groups. In the UK, a school in Manchester reported a 40% drop in male student suspensions within six months of implementing a mentorship program inspired by the event. In Brazil, a public health campaign tied to the day led to a 28% increase in men visiting clinics for check-ups.
Why does the organization stress "celebrating" rather than "fixing" men?
Because fixing implies brokenness. Celebrating affirms value. The organization’s research shows that men respond better to recognition than criticism. Highlighting positive stories—like the firefighter who stayed home to help his daughter with homework, or the teacher who started a boys’ book club—creates new templates for identity. Change doesn’t start with shame. It starts with seeing yourself as worthy of love and respect.