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 they can take responsibility for 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 2025.
As a longstanding supporter of the White Ribbon campaign, AFC Telford United aims to play its part in raising awareness of violence towards women and girls.
We are proud to lend our backing to White Ribbon. In an ideal world, we would not have to support the campaign, but until the violence and abuse stop, we won’t stop either.
Taking place on Saturday, 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:
We Speak Up.
- The core message of "We Speak Up" focuses on taking action and using your voice to prevent violence against women and girls.
- It encourages men to be accountable for their behaviour and to speak up against harmful attitudes and actions, from seemingly small things like sexist remarks to more serious forms of harassment.
- The ultimate goal is to transform harmful cultures and create a world where everyone is safe, equal, and respected.
- The theme is central to the White Ribbon campaign, which runs alongside the UN's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, starting on November 25th and ending on Human Rights Day, December 10th.
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 2025, we’re once again 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 and don’t remain silent about gender violence.
We can prevent violence against women and girls, and remaining silent is not an option, so We Speak Up.
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 on 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 experienced 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)
I’m Only One Person – What Can I Do?
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.
- 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.
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