Why Men Should Attend International Women’s Day events

Each year, the Jewish Leadership Council and its leadership division, Lead, proudly host an International Women’s Day (IWD) event, bringing together professionals from across the Jewish charity sector to celebrate, learn, and drive meaningful change. Yet, year after year, one issue persists: men are significantly underrepresented in the audience.

We are not alone. Across society, men traditionally seem to stay away from IWD events. If we look at attendance over the last few years at our own events, in 2024, there were four male attendees, six in 2023 and two in 2022.

It’s important to note that not attending an event like this does not mean you don’t support women in the workplace – after all, one day does not constitute what happens during the other 364 days.

So, is what we are seeing simply a perceived exclusion despite our best efforts to create an inclusive environment? Or is there some hesitancy to participate in discussions about gender equality and leadership? After all, according to a recent survey, 37 per cent of men see themselves as allies to women in the workplace.

Putting myself in their shoes (I am a man after all), there are some very legitimate reasons behind men not attending:

A perceived “women-only” space – Some men may assume that an IWD event is exclusively for women, despite it being open to all. The name itself can automatically create a barrier, leading men to believe that their presence is neither needed nor wanted.

Fear of saying the wrong thing – Discussions about gender equality can be sensitive, and some men may worry about unintentionally saying something inappropriate. Rather than risk discomfort or embarrassment, they opt out altogether.

Not seeing the personal relevance – If I don’t personally gain something from attending an event, why would I go? Some may feel it’s an issue for women to address, rather than being a societal challenge that would benefit from male allyship.

The “optics” of attendance – Some men may fear being seen as virtue-signalling or feel awkward as one of the few men in the room. This concern about being in the minority could discourage participation.

Why Men Should Attend

While these concerns are understandable, the lack of men at these events is a missed opportunity—both for them and for their female colleagues. Topics raised at these events can often be difficult to raise in an ordinary working environment, so to hear and better understand them within a dedicated space can help strengthen relationships in the long run and enable female colleagues to be more open with their concerns going forward.

It is important to note that gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a societal issue. Male involvement and commitment to supporting females in the workplace can accelerate change far more effectively than women advocating for it alone, especially if the man is in a leadership or managerial position.

Understanding an issue promotes better leadership – Being part of conversations about gender equality fosters empathy and awareness. Leaders who understand the challenges women face in the workplace are better equipped to create inclusive environments, benefiting their teams and organisations.

Inspiring the next generation – Young professionals - both male and female – are always looking for guidance. When men show up at IWD events, they signal that gender equality matters to everyone, setting a powerful example to the wider team.

Expanding professional networks – Events like ours offer an opportunity to connect with colleagues in the Jewish charity sector. Engaging in these conversations opens doors to new collaborations and partnerships and allows attendees to better understand what other organisations are doing well that can be implemented into their own organisation.

This year’s IWD event, held on Thursday March 6 will be looking at the IWD 2025 theme of “Accelerating Action” and promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring gathering. We are especially excited to welcome our keynote speaker, esteemed businesswoman Linda Plant, who will share her insights on leadership, resilience, and driving change.

Following this, we will host interactive sessions alongside Jewish Women’s Aid, Jewish Care and Keshet UK, whilst we will be closing the event with a special conversation between Jo Bucci (CEO of the Jewish Chronicle) and multi-award-winning speaker, trainer and coach Harriet Waley-Cohen.

If you are a professional working in the Jewish community chartable sector, we urge you - especially our male colleagues - to attend. Your presence is not just welcomed; it is needed. Only by us all working together, across gender identity, can we build a truly inclusive and equitable future.

Let’s break the trend. Let’s ensure that in 2025, we’re not still asking: Where are the men?

Find out more, click here

Laurence Rosenthal is head of programmes at the JLC and Lead