What does White Ribbon mean?
You might wonder, “What does White Ribbon mean?
In the UK, the White Ribbon symbolises the promise to end men’s violence against all women and children. The White Ribbon movement was started by men who wanted to challenge the culture that allows sexist jokes, disrespect, discrimination and abuse to go unchecked.
White ribbon wants men to become allies, to challenge harmful behaviours, beliefs and attitudes towards woman and girls as well as the systems around rigid gender norms. They believe that tackling the issue of violence and abuse at the root cause is the best way to prevent violence against women and girls.
White Ribbon Day is on the 25th of November and starts 16 days of activism where men are encouraged to make the White Ribbon promise to never to use, excuse, or stay silent about violence against women.
Why the White Ribbon Campaign matters?
As the Director of Operations and Quality, and senior White Ribbon Champion, this campaign is deeply personal to me. It’s not just a professional commitment; it’s a cause rooted in my own lived experiences.
Growing up, I experienced controlling and coercive relationships within my childhood home. School should have been a safe space, but it wasn’t. The behaviour of certain male teachers meant I never truly felt secure there either. Those environments taught me what it feels like to be powerless, to drift without safety or support. It’s a feeling no woman or girl should ever have to endure.
Moving into my adult life, these experiences didn’t stop, they continued, especially during my young adulthood. I was physically and verbally assaulted by men because of my gender and sexuality, completely unprovoked. I didn’t know any of them. They targeted me simply because they could, and because no one around them stepped in to stop it.
That silence spoke volumes. It reinforced a sense of worthlessness that I carried for years, and in response, I developed coping mechanisms that were not safe. When you live in a world where harm goes unchecked, it shapes you in ways you don’t fully understand until much later.
From left to right Shaun Finegan, Adele Muhl, Julie Barker, Lyndsay Atkinson-Swales (author of this post)
How can men become allies?
Ending the violence against all women and girls is not “just a women’s issue”, it’s systemic and societal issue that needs men to stand up and speak up when they see these harmful biases, attitudes and behaviours.
I have positive men in my life; two wonderful close male friends and my two brothers have always respected me and built me up every single day. I feel safe and valued with them, and I know all four of these men would speak out if they saw harmful behaviour. They treat the women and girls in their lives with pride and dignity. They are proof that men can, and should, be allies, advocates, and protectors of equality.
What happens when these actions go unchallenged?
When behaviours go unchecked, whether it’s banter, jibes, or dismissive attitudes, they create a culture where harm can thrive. These seemingly small actions matter because they normalise disrespect and silence those who suffer.
I want men to stand up, speak out, and challenge these behaviours. Don’t allow them. Don’t laugh them off. Don’t allow anyone to feel unsafe.
Living in fear changes you. It makes you act in ways you later realise were your nervous system trying to cope with something you didn’t understand. That’s not okay. Women and girls deserve better. They deserve safety, respect, and equality.
The White Ribbon Campaign is about breaking that cycle.
It’s about creating a world where no woman or girl feels unsafe because of behaviours that could have been stopped. It starts with men taking responsibility, not just for their own actions, but for the culture they allow around them.
Silence is what allows the cycle of violence against women and girls to continue. That is why White Ribbon is challenging everyone, especially men who often hold more power and privilege, to speak up and use that influence to create change in their workplaces, communities and everyday life.
When we challenge sexist comments, biased attitudes, discrimination and harassment, we plant seeds of change. Over time, those seemingly small actions can change the way all women and girls (of every background, ability and identity) are treated.
How to support the White Ribbon cause?
Wear a White Ribbon and make the promise to raise awareness and start honest conversations with the people closest to you, whether that’s friends, colleagues or your wider community.
Want to go a step further? Become a White Ribbon Ambassador or Champion:
- Ambassadors are men (and people who identify as men) who help spread the message and set an example in their workplaces, communities and social circles.
- Champions are women (or anyone who doesn’t identify as a man) who keep the conversations going, encourage men to get involved and make sure woman’s voices are heard and part of the change.
What does White Ribbon mean for us here at St Annes
On the left Lisa Monaghan, Area Manager for Mental Health and Outreach, West Yorkshire. On the Right, Philip Hassall, Head of Quality and Continuous Improvement
We are proud to have achieved our White Ribbon accreditation here at St Annes. As an organisation that supports women who have experienced domestic abuse, this work is deeply personal to us. This accreditation reflects our commitment to ending violence against women and promoting respectful relationships in our workplace and community.
Join us at St Anne’s in standing up and speaking out because silence is not an option.
