Cr Philip Penfold put the motion to a council meeting on Tuesday, calling for the council to support International Men's Day to an extent similar to the support for International Women's Day, which Cr Penfold said cost the council about $1500.

Cr Penfold said he was concerned that challenges facing men, such as serious health conditions, were not as well-promoted as those faced by women.

He argued the council's support of the day in Maitland, on or about November 19, would help to address the imbalance.

Cr Lisa Tierney, with the backing of Cr Loretta Baker, argued support was warranted to help tackle matters such as male suicide rates but that Cr Penfold's motion was premature and should be deferred for a year.

She said the women's day events in Maitland were mostly the result of the groundwork of women's community groups rather than the council's efforts.

Similar work would need to first be fostered within the community for the men's day.

Women faced different social challenges to men.

"Being equal isn't about giving everyone the same thing, it's about levelling the playing field," Cr Tierney told the meeting.

Cr Steve Procter said that while "my wife reckons every day is men's day", the council should be able to make what was "not a difficult decision" to support men as well.

The male councillors carried the motion.