White Ribbon Day & the 16 Days of Activism 2024
Changing the Narrative
White Ribbon Day is recognised annually as the day men show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) and marks the beginning of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
VAWG is rooted in harmful masculine attitudes and the theme for 2024 is #ItStartsWithMen
Starting with men, we must address the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a fear of violence for women in their day-to-day lives. Violence against women and girls is not just a women’s issue – as a society we need to come together to champion prevention and challenge men to end male violence and abuse against women.
At West Mercia Women’s Aid we are committed to changing the narrative around VAWG – through confronting harmful attitudes, championing the rights of women, bringing perpetrators to account and encouraging all men to call out misogyny and male violence against women.
Here we are sharing the highlights from our activity throughout this year’s White Ribbon Day and 16 days of Activism campaign.
In the Community
Throughout the 16 days of Activism we have been out and about in the community, attending events to raise awareness of our services. This has included:
Inclusion events held in Hereford, Worcester, Shropshire & Oswestry and Telford & Wrekin – organised to reach under represented communities with many local services coming together to show their support, make connections and strengthen partnerships.
Meeting with the Mother’s Union Hereford to mark their RISE UP campaign (Respond, Inform, Support, Empower, Unite and Pray) – joining our local community to discuss what they are doing to raise awareness and support those affected by domestic abuse.
Reclaim the Night March – held in Worcester on 5th December – the march is a powerful way for our community to stand together and call for change.
White Ribbon Conference – the Joint Herefordshire & Worcestershire White Ribbon Conference brought together organisations all working with a vision to end violence against women and girls. It was a privilege for WMWA to speak alongside fellow advocates, highlighting what survivors think men can do and showing our film featuring men we spoke to who are taking positive action to end violence against women and girls.