Sign up to the White Ribbon promise to end violence against women and girls
It’s White Ribbon Day on Saturday and it’s everyone’s opportunity to sign a pledge against violence towards women and girls.
Sheffield City Council is showing its commitment to working towards achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The global White Ribbon campaign encourages people, and especially men and boys, to individually and collectively take action to change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence.
To sign the White Ribbon pledge and wear a white ribbon is a promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re standing against violence towards women and girls, and we are proud to be an accredited White Ribbon organisation that is committed to ending violence against women and girls.
“Around 6,000 people seek support from domestic abuse services in Sheffield each year, and around 90% of them are women. Violence against women and girls is under-reported nationally which is why we’re asking men and boys to become ‘ambassadors’ to call out abusive and sexist behaviour and to promote a culture of equality and respect to help end violence against women. We’re asking women to be ‘champions’ to encourage and inspire men and boys to ‘say no’ to violence against women.
We will take every opportunity to educate, change behaviours and call out unacceptable behaviour whenever we see it. Our two-year action plan prioritises working with children and young people to recognise sexist behaviour and language and how it is used in society to create an environment that leads to violence and abuse being excused or normalised.”
Kate Josephs, Chief Executive Officer at Sheffield City Council, said: “Through our White Ribbon work we are promoting a culture of respect and equality in our communities and amongst council colleagues and we are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up to the White Ribbon Pledge.
“We have already launched of our first Women and Girls Night-time Safety Charter, we have developed resources for Sheffield Against Sexual Harassment, including the promotion of the Ask for Angela scheme in venues, bars, and other premises, and we support the city’s Violence Against Women and Girls Forum.
“Our two-year action plan prioritises working with schools and youth clubs over the winter and spring through Youth Services and with Learn Sheffield, developing a training course for staff on what staff members can do to help end VAWG by thinking about preventing sexism in daily life, including at work. We want to equip staff members so that they can challenge sexist behaviour and language effectively.
“This campaign is about every single one of us ensuring that we ‘say no’ now and always, to violence against women and girls. It has no place in our society and no place in this city.”
People can sign up to the pledge and find out more about White Ribbon Day at www.whiteribbon.org.uk
About White Ribbon
White Ribbon UK is part of the global White Ribbon movement to end men’s violence against women and is the leading charity that is ending men's violence against women by engaging with men and boys to make a stand against violence. White Ribbon works with individuals, organisations, and policy makers towards wholesale culture change to prevent violence before it starts.
Accreditation to White Ribbon lasts for 3 years. Sheffield City Council received accreditation in 2022.