White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging with men and boys to end violence against women and girls, and is currently calling upon industries across the UK to support its upcoming White Ribbon Day.
Organisations across the rail and transport networks are supporting White Ribbon Day, including Network Rail, Rail Business Daily, British Transport Police and Transport for London. Stations including Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street will have Network Rail volunteers and banners promoting the campaign for the whole day on 25 November. There will also be opportunities for community rail partnerships and station groups to participate in and support the campaign in the run up to the 25th.
White Ribbon’s mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes, and the charity encourage everyone (especially men and boys), to make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.
White Ribbon’s work aims to raise awareness of what constitutes as violence, and the link between dominant masculine norms, gender inequality and violence against women. It aims to shift societal attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity that help to perpetuate gender inequality and therefore men’s violence against women.
This year, White Ribbon Day (25 November) falls on the same week as the launch of the FIFA men’s World Cup. White Ribbon are highlighting eleven traits that men and boys can adopt, each representing a player in a football team, with #TheGoal of shifting expectations that violent and abusive behaviour and attitudes are normal and cannot be changed.
Anthea Sully, White Ribbon UK Chief Executive, says: “This year we are addressing how informal rules about ‘how to be a man’ and ‘how to be a woman’ can restrict the way men, women, girls, and boys are expected to live. These behaviours can be harmful and create environments that normalise violence against women and girls.
“#TheGoal highlights eleven traits that men and boys can nurture, each representing a player in a football team. It calls on the need to shift expectations that violent and abusive behaviour and attitudes are normal and cannot be changed. All men and boys can commit to equality and safety for women and girls to live the lives they want to lead without fear of violence. This is always #TheGoal.”
Sarah Chilton, Head of Communications and Policy at Community Rail Network, said: “We are very proud to be supporting White Ribbon Day on 25 November. Striving towards creating a fairer, safer and more inclusive society is intrinsic to the values of community rail, and we are proud to contribute our voice to the thousands of others who are working to raise awareness, promote equality and respect, and bring about positive change.”
Find out more about the work of White Ribbon and how you can get involved via their website.