Source: Youth Justice Board published on this website Tuesday 26 November 2024
Today is White Ribbon Day, an international campaign observed on 25 November each year, calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
As the Chair of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and a former police officer, I’ve had the privilege of working across organisations that help to shape the lives of children and young adults, particularly those caught up in the youth justice system. My personal and professional journey has been driven by a commitment to safety and positive societal change.
My time as a police officer meant I have witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of violence against women and girls. This issue is not just something we read about in headlines; it’s a daily reality for countless women. It tears apart individuals, families and communities.
White Ribbon Day offers a powerful opportunity for men and boys to be allies for women and girls. I myself take an active role in promoting gender equality and challenging behaviours and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women and girls, and today I am calling on the youth justice sector to do the same. It is so important to have positive male role models within these spaces and beyond.
White Ribbon Day also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs until Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Recent national and international events have highlighted the urgent need to address gender-based violence, alongside persistent misogyny in society, which have created a climate where women and girls often feel unsafe.
To read more
