The weather might be getting cold, but we're still hot on our D&I dates, and you can be too with this guide. Let's start!
This month, you will see many men, who support the movement, grow moustaches to raise awareness and money for Movember, the leading charity for men's health. The charity is a fantastic organisation and the work they do is really important! They want to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.
Movember is to be celebrated by everyone - Mo bros, Mo sisters, Mo non-binary people, Mo kids, Mo students and Mo employees etc. It is about celebrating, supporting the cause of men’s health and raising funds to support men’s health projects.
Did you know that globally...:
[All info from the Movember website]
1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This equates to 1.4 million men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year globally. Early detection makes a big difference.
Testicular cancer is the #1 cancer among young men. Despite this, 62% of those who are most at risk don’t know how to check themselves. Movember is working to change this!
On average, 1 man dies by suicide every minute of every day. To speak with someone immediately, contact NHS 111 on 111 or contact Samaritans on 116 123. If you're ever worried that someone's life is in immediate danger, call 999 or go directly to emergency services. Or use the Movember tool, Movember Conversations, which
Growing a moustache is not the only way to get involved. Another way to get involved is to move 60 km over the month to raise awareness for the 60 men we lose every hour to suicide. Others choose to host events or do their own epic challenges.
Let's help them out this month! Click here to donate if you can 🙏.
Stress is something ALL of us are familiar with. These were the 2020 stats from Perkbox about stress.
79% of adults commonly experience work-related stress - 20% higher than in 2018 !
Only 1% could say they ‘never’ experience workplace stress !!
‘Monetary/financial stress’ is the second most common cause of stress (60%), with ‘family stress’ coming third place (48%) !!!
Those aged 45-54 are most likely to be affected (40%) by the number one cause of stress, work-related office politics !!!!
Stress can have a big impact on our health, both mentally and physically. That's why it's important to raise awareness on the 3rd of November.
If you are struggling with stress, then have a look at this resource page by Rethink Mental Illness.
Diwali is celebrated on the 4th of November this year. The celebrations span over 5 days.
If you don't know what Diwali is then don't worry, I got you covered: Diwali is an important religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. It is a celebration of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil.
Those, who celebrate spend together, light small candles known as diyas, offering prayers and being grateful for what they have. There are also lots of fireworks to celebrate too at this time.
I love this quote about Diwali from this Good Housekeeping article.
“Diwali can mean so many things to so many people, but at its core, for me it’s about celebrating the light in this world over the darkness, being with the people I love.” Sonya Lalli, author of A Holly Jolly Diwali.
If you would like to learn more about Diwali, this is an excellent video by National Geographic, enjoy!
I love a bit of kindness! 13th November is the perfect day to show some because it is World Kindness Day.
World Kindness Day was created by the World Kindness Movement. It was first started in 1998. People celebrate the day by showing kindness in many different ways from giving out free chocolate bars to flash mobs.
Here are a few ways you could show kindness on the 13th November:
Offer someone some mentorship and guidance
Take time out of your day to call someone (friends, family, etc) and really ask how they are
Donate food to a food bank
Give your time or money to a charity
Make a cup of coffee or tea for one or two of your colleagues
How will you be showing kindness on the 13th?
The week of the 13th of November is Transgender Awareness Week. It's a week dedicated to supporting the transgender community, combatting the discrimination and prejudice they face, and advocating for their rights.
Transgender people are people, whose gender identity is different from the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Transgender Awareness Week is incredibly important. Here are the Stonewall Stats that show us why:
51% of trans people have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination.
25% of trans people have experienced homelessness.
47% of trans people don’t feel comfortable using public toilets through fear of discrimination or harassment.
34% of trans people were discriminated against because of their gender identity when visiting a café, restaurant, bar or nightclub the year prior to the survey.
Things need to change! We all need to be better trans allies to create a society where trans people feel safe to be themselves. Here is a fab resource from TUC about how you can be a better trans ally.
The 18th of November marks the start of UK Disability History Month. The purpose of UK Disability History Month is to celebrate the lives of those with disabilities, challenge ableism and create an equal world.
This year there are two themes and they are: 'Disability Sex + Relationships' and 'Disability + Hidden Impairments'.
World of Inclusion is hosting an amazing launch event on November, 18th, which you can sign up for here.
At the end of Transgender Awareness Week is the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
It began in 1999 when transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil to honour Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. Since then, it has grown to become a tradition in the transgender community where we remember those in the trans community who have lost their lives to violence.
Did you know that, 1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner? Or that 71% of all human trafficking victims worldwide are women and girls, and 75% of these women and girls are sexually exploited? The UN Women have even more facts and figures like these that show us why it is so important to campaign against violence against women.
The 25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It truly saddens me how many women and girls are subjected to violence across the world. It needs to stop! If you would like to join in the efforts to end violence against women then please read this article by UN Women which explains all the ways you can help the cause.
This year, the 8 days of Hanukkah begin on the 28th of November. Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of light, and families gather together each year to celebrate.
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over King Antiochus, the ancient Greek King, who tried to ban Judaism by destroying all the temples and punishing those who did not worship him. After the Maccabees defeated King Antiochus and repaired the temple, they lit a candle. There was only enough oil for one day, but miraculously it burned for 8 days. That is why Hanukkah takes place over 8 days and each evening one of the eight candles on the menorah is lit.
You can learn more about Hanukkah here.
And just like that, we have covered all the D&I dates you need for November. I hope they help you with your D&I planning and that you have an amazing month!
Love, Vanessa ⭐️