The Bucks are pleased to once again support the national White Ribbon campaign in conjunction with Telford & Wrekin Council.
White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
Wait… if you read that and thought, “It’s not all men; sometimes women are the perpetrators”, then let White Ribbon explain why the emphasis is on men:
The reality is that most violence against women is committed by men. Our mission is to prevent men’s violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes — harmful and dominant masculine norms.
We strive to change long-established attitudes, behaviours and systems around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and men’s violence against women. White Ribbon UK’s work is preventative; we want to end violence before it starts.
We work to ensure all men realise that they can take responsibility for thinking about their actions, promote equality and respect, and are prepared to call out harassing, sexist and violent behaviour when they see it in others.
Telford & Wrekin Council is calling for people – particularly men – to take a stand against violence towards women and girls for White Ribbon Day 2024.
Taking place on Monday, November 25, White Ribbon Day encourages people to sign a pledge and call out all forms of violence against women and girls.
This year’s theme for White Ribbon Day is:
It Starts With Men.
Together, we can prevent violence against women and girls. It Starts with Men.
Violence against women and girls is rooted in harmful masculine traits. Starting with men, we must address the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a fear of violence for women in their day-to-day lives.
This White Ribbon Day 2024, we’re encouraging men to hold themselves accountable to women and to each other, so we can affect positive behaviour change to transform harmful cultures. Gender equality is a key to making this culture change happen. Gender equality is achievable if men and boys understand and assume their responsibility as allies.
We can prevent violence against women and girls. It Starts with Men.
TELFORD COPYRIGHT Mike Sheridan – Telford players warmed up wearing t-shirts supporting the White Ribbon campaign during the Southern League Premier Central fixture between AFC Telford United and Kettering Town at the Seah Stadium on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Why Is White Ribbon Day Important?
White Ribbon UK works to prevent men’s violence against women and girls, we aim to stop violence before it starts. We do this in many ways, with our focus of enabling men and boys to be changemakers.
The need for our work is seen in the lived experiences of women and girls across the UK.
- 70% of women in the UK say they have experienced sexual harassment in public. (APPG for UN Women, 2021)
- 3 in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace. (Trade Unions Congress, 2023)
- 15% of women in England, and 17% of women in Wales have experienced online violence. (Professor Olga Jurasz, The Open University, 2024)
- Nearly a quarter (24%) of girls in mixed sex schools said they had experiences of unwanted sexual touching in school. (EVAW, 2023)
- 1.4 million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023. (ONS, 2023)
- 63% of men agree that men in society aren’t doing enough to ensure the safety of women and girls. (YouGov, 2021)
TELFORD COPYRIGHT Mike Sheridan – Telford players warmed up wearing t-shirts supporting the White Ribbon campaign during the Southern League Premier Central fixture between AFC Telford United and Kettering Town at the Seah Stadium on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
How Can I Support White Ribbon Day?
This White Ribbon Day, we need your help to engage your colleagues, friends, and family so that together we can prevent violence against women and girls.
Here are some ideas to get started:
- Wear a White Ribbon.
- Make the White Ribbon Promise.
- Organise a fundraising activity, and donate the money raised, to White Ribbon UK.
- An important way to make a difference is to consider whether your organisation could become White Ribbon Accredited or a Supporter Organisation.
- Call out inappropriate language – use gender neutral language yourself.
- Learn how to, and call out, seemingly ‘harmless’ conversations, ‘jokes’ and behaviour.
- Make sure that you know how to signpost people to support services, when appropriate.
- Become a White Ribbon UK Ambassador or Champion.
Get The Word Out
Every year, thousands of individuals, and organisations mark White Ribbon Day by sharing support on their social media platforms and on their websites as well as hosting events across England and Wales. It’s an important and inspiring time of year for our community of changemakers.
If you’re hosting or attending a White Ribbon Day event or would like to show your support, please be sure to tag us on social media or email [email protected] so that we can share the great things you are doing.
As a White Ribbon accredited organisation, Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to making the borough a safe place for everyone.
Support in Telford and Wrekin is available through the domestic abuse service call 0800 840 3747 and get advice and support ‘silently’ at www.westmerciawomenaid.org
To sign up to the pledge visit https://www.telford.gov.uk/whiteribbontelford
TELFORD COPYRIGHT Mike Sheridan – Telford players warmed up wearing t-shirts supporting the White Ribbon campaign during the Southern League Premier Central fixture between AFC Telford United and Kettering Town at the Seah Stadium on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
