White Ribbon Ambassadors Jonathan Dakin & Mike Wesley attended a Mossley Mothers’ Union meeting recently to talk about their role and the White Ribbon Campaign.
White Ribbon is an international charity that works to raise awareness of inappropriate attitudes and behaviours of men & boys to women & girls. Its aim is to prevent violence against women & girls by addressing its root causes. White Ribbon works with men and boys to change longstanding harmful attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity and gender norms that perpetuate inequality & violence.
The two Ambassadors gave a presentation about their work in Congleton. They explained that men become ‘Ambassadors’ & women can become ‘Champions’. One of the cornerstones is that men and boys are responsible for their individual behaviours and attitudes. So, rather than the focus being on women to keep themselves safe, the emphasis is on men being aware of how their language & behaviours can make women feel unsafe, and to challenge those behaviours in others.
Mossley MU Branch Leader Helen Harrison reflected on the meeting:
“Reducing inequalities requires tackling discrimination and biases ingrained in society. As a global organisation, the Mother’s Union has a commitment to empowering women and to work against domestic violence & abuse in the UK and abroad. Every year, it runs sixteen days of activism which starts on White Ribbon Day – November 25th -and goes through to Human Rights Day on December 10th. It was a useful coming together for two organisations to improve their understanding and promote change.”
If any other organisations, clubs or employers are interested in a White Ribbon talk, please contact the team via info@congleton-tc.gov.uk and a member of the Group will be in touch.
Individuals can make their promise at the White Ribbon Stall in Congleton Town Centre on 23rd November, or at any time online at www.whiteribbon.org.uk.
(For support in Cheshire East with Sexual or Domestic Violence call 0300 123 5101.)
