About
White Ribbon
Our Origins
A Call to End Gender-Based Violence
In 1989, the horrific tragedy at Montréal’s École Polytechnique claimed the lives of 14 women and sparked a national reckoning on male violence against women. In response, a group of men in Toronto launched the White Ribbon Campaign in 1991, pledging to end gender-based violence and promote equality.
What started as a symbol of allyship has grown into a global movement fostering healthy masculinities through education, empathy, and accountability, empowering men and boys to be champions of change.
Change Begins Here:
White Ribbon’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan
In 1989, the horrific tragedy at Montréal's École Polytechnique claimed the lives of 14 women and sparked a national dialogue about the role of men in ending violence against women. In response, a group of men in Toronto launched the White Ribbon Campaign in 1991, pledging to end gender-based violence and promote equality.
What started as a symbol of allyship has grown into a global movement fostering healthy masculinities through education, empathy, and accountability, empowering men and boys to be champions of change.
Explore the Strategic Plan >
Engaging men and boys as active participants in ending gender-based violence and discrimination.
Pillar One - Building allyship
Delivering transformative programs and initiatives that positively impact families, schools, workplaces, sports, communities, and systems.
Pillar Two - Driving culture change
Ensuring lasting impact through capacity-building, research, and long-term partnerships.
Pillar Three - Strengthening sustainability
Our Mission
White Ribbon promotes healthy masculinities,
advances gender equity and builds allyship.
Our Mission
Equitable rights and opportunities, including understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with
intersecting identities.
Gender Justice
Building partnerships that are rooted in common values, amplify our strengths, and drive our mission forward.
Collaboration
Equitable rights and opportunities, including understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with intersecting identities.
Anti-Oppression
Taking responsibility for our actions and ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity in all our work.
Integrity
Working with compassion, empathy and care in all of our interactions and initiatives, ensuring we have a positive and impactful effect on the individuals and communities we serve.
Compassion
Using what works to inform our programs and services while continuously exploring new and creative approaches to achieve our mission.
Innovation
Ways that you can take action
Real change takes all of us. Whether you’re an individual, an educator, or part of an organization, there are many ways to get involved and join the movement.
Donate to make your Impact
Every donation fuels education and advocacy that empower young men and boys to become allies, leaders, and advocates for a world free from gender-based violence. Your support helps bring life-changing programs into schools, workplaces, and communities.