Challenging misogyny this White Ribbon Day

Today is White Ribbon Day - the largest global initiative to end male violence against women.

The White Ribbon movement began in Canada in 1991 following the massacre of a number of female students at a university in Montreal. A small group of men got together and looked for a way for men to oppose violence against women. 

They decided to encourage men to actively show their opposition by wearing a white ribbon.  Since then, the White Ribbon movement has developed internationally and is active in many countries around the world.

White Ribbon day is on 25 November each year, which is also the start of 16 Days of Action against domestic violence and sexual violence. 16 Days of Action ends on 10 December (Human Rights Day).

This year White Ribbon Day coincides with the World Cup in Qatar, and statistics have long shown us, sadly, that incidents of domestic violence rise when England loses a game.

This year, I am delighted that Sutton United FC and Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club have joined us, to support the call for an end to violence against women, and to make their own personal White Ribbon Promises. 

It is imperative that our young men have role models that they can aspire to. We need to help them make informed decisions so they realise that we are all responsible for our own behaviours and actions, but that we can also have a word with our family, friends or anyone, in fact, to call out and challenge misogynistic behaviour when we see it.

Please take a moment this White Ribbon Day to reflect on what this important day means to you and what you can do to help make a change and make the world a safer place for women and girls wherever they may be.

Councillor Ruth Dombey

Leader of Sutton Council