Men’s Places Policy and Program

The Northern Territory (NT) Government recognises the important role that men’s places can play.

The NT Men’s Places Policy and Program aims to improve the health and emotional wellbeing of men and form community connections and support networks.

Program aims

Support the establishment and delivery of programs and activities through men’s places and programs in the NT.
Support the establishment of a Men’s Places Network where each of these entities are able to connect through regular updates and share ideas, successes, resources and learnings.
Guide the delivery of the Men’s Places Grants Program.

The policy and program will be underpinned by the following principles:

men’s activities and programs will be community led and community developed, to meet the needs of the community
social connections, peer support, education and skills development and positive health and wellbeing will be supported through men’s activities and programs
positive male role models and the positive contributions men can make to their community and for their families will be promoted through men’s activities and programs.

Men’s places deliver activities and programs that provide a holistic approach to supporting men.

Read about the 5 focus areas of the Action Plan.

Men’s places can support culturally appropriate engagement of men through:

encouragement of participation and the involvement of men in men’s places in the NT
contributing to an evidence-base on how to improve the lives of Northern Territory men
creating opportunities for social connections for men in their communities
providing a place of non-judgement, for men’s business and for men to access services.

Men’s places may support the health and wellbeing of men by:

providing access to health and wellbeing information and encouraging health seeking and positive self-care
creating opportunities for greater social connection and positive mental health outcomes
promoting active and healthy lifestyle role models and activities.

Men’s places may support the safety of communities by:

promoting respectful relationships and challenging gender behaviours that can cause harm
promoting positive male role models, positive fathering and grandfathering, and celebrating the positive impact that men can have on their families and communities
promoting violence prevention messaging and activities in programs.

Men’s places may support improved economic security by:

providing men with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, financial literacy and resilience
promoting more equal sharing of unpaid and caring responsibilities between genders.

Men’s places may support leadership and participation in local communities by:

encouraging civic engagement, volunteering and participation in community activities
valuing the diversity that each man brings and encourage leadership development and opportunity.

The Office of Gender Equity and Diversity will work with men’s places to establish a Men’s Places Network.