Today is White Ribbon Day and It Starts with Men
Today, 25th November, is White Ribbon Day – a chance to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and for men to reflect on the impact of their negative behaviour.
It is widely acknowledged that men and boys can also be the victims of abuse by females, but today is to highlight the work being carried out to prevent violence against women and girls.
The work of organisations such as White Ribbon UK is addressing the root causes of men’s violence against women: harmful attitudes, behaviours and systems around rigid gender norms and harmful expressions of masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and gender-based violence.
Allyship is a central message of the White Ribbon; in Stockport the team at Life Leisure (pictured above)
is taking responsibility to challenge the issue and being allies, every day, to stop violence against women and girls, before it starts.
This year’s theme is highlighted in the video below – It Starts with Men
The Domestic Abuse Partnership and other key partners including Stockport Council, Life Leisure, Stockport Homes, local schools and mosques, Youth Justice, ASPIRE, NSPCC and VCFSE Online Forum (Stockport Creatives) are all working together towards 16 Days of Action.
During the 16 days, many partnership events and activities will take place across the borough that focus on promoting and raising awareness of different types of domestic abuse. These activities include webinars with key speakers, training, team events in workplaces and schools, 1:1 sessions focusing on unhealthy relationships, Trauma Informed Conference at the Town Hall and a gym focussed campaign with Life Leisure to make women feel safe in the gym as well as awareness raising sessions at teen football sessions.
Other activities include educational stalls at Foodie Friday in Stockport Old Town on 29 November and kindness focussed craft sessions at Life Leisure, Brinnington on Friday 29 November and December 6. The FREE sessions are for children ages 5 to 10 years; this Friday 29th, the craft topic will be focused around the Kindness Tree. Spaces must be pre-booked at reception.
At the very centre of the White Ribbon Movement is to make the promise, which is to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence towards women. You can make that promise and become an ally at the White Ribbon UK website, visit White Ribbon UK.
Join us in supporting 16 days of action and help make a difference in our community. Together, we can end violence against women and girls.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence visit Contacts – Domestic Abuse Stockport or you can become an ally by clicking the link HERE.
The White Ribbon
The White Ribbon is the globally recognised symbol to end men’s violence against women and girls. Since the inception of the White Ribbon movement 35 years ago in Canada, the White Ribbon has become an important symbol in the fight to end gender-based violence.
Not all men cause problems, but every man can help change things. By being good allies, men and boys can help make our world safer and fairer.
Image courtesy of Life Leisure / Stockport Council
