16 WAYS THAT MEN AND BOYS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Men and boys in their various roles as individuals, community members, leaders, educators, fathers, family members, staff of NGOS or policy makers have a responsibility and important role to play in promoting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls. To help commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, the White Ribbon Campaign encourages you to take 16 steps to help make a powerful difference in promoting gender equality in your family, community, school, and workplace. Share this message your friends and colleagues, so that they get engaged as well!

Over the next 16 days we'll outline 16 ways men and boys can get involved. You can see the whole list at Say NO Unite! and The Pixel Project where you can join in, or start your own action,

Think about the kind of man you want to be: kind, responsible, one that shares equally in family life and respects women and girls.

Be respectful towards women, girls, and other guys. Sexism and homophobia hurts us all.

Ask first. Whether it’s holding hands, kissing, or more, it’s important to communicate and seek consent.

Never use coercion, threats, or violence in your relationships with others.

Wear a white ribbon and pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Visit our website to order ribbons.

Teach your students and the youth in your community about gender equality and healthy, equal relationships.

Be a good role model and share with the boys and young men around you the importance of respecting women and girls. Visit www.itstartswithyou.ca to find out how.

Learn about the impact of violence against women in your community. Volunteer with a local shelter or a women’s organization.

Challenge and speak out against hurtful language, sexist jokes, and bullying, in your school, community, workplace, or place of worship.

Link your website to ours or place a banner for our It Starts With You Campaign on your website or blog and help us spread the word.

Accept your role as a man in helping to end violence against women. It affects everyone.

Start a White Ribbon Club or Campaign in your school or community. Visit our website to find out how.

Order our awareness materials and help educate others in your school, community, or workplace about men’s violence against women and girls.

Watch our collection of powerful digital stories to learn about the important connection between masculinity and gender equality.

As a community leader, policy maker, funder, or NGO staff member, read our issue brief to learn about the important role that men and boys can play in ending gender-based violence.

As a father or a family member, teaching the boys in your life about healthy equal relationships helps you do your part in creating healthy families and strengthening family bonds.

Jack Layton & White Ribbon Campaign

The entire White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) family is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Layton today. He died peacefully with his family by his side. We extend our deepest condolences to Olivia, Mike and Sarah and his entire great, big family.

Jack was one of the co-founders and visionaries of the WRC, back in 1991. He felt men had to have both a role and responsibility in working to end violence against women, that we needed to step up our efforts in promoting gender equality, and be accountable to challenging the most harmful aspects of masculinity.

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