Meet White Ribbon's Male Allies

Solomon moved from Ethiopia to Canada in November 2022 he is happily married with two children, who he describes as his pride and joy, and has an educational background in electrical engineering and medical laboratory technology. He is a hardworking and dedicated individual who is always looking to improve and learn new things. He is currently taking an IT infrastructure bridge course at Humber College to gain a deeper understanding of the Canadian market and acquire the necessary skills to excel in the field. Solomon is deeply committed to giving back to the community through volunteer work and wants to use his skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on society.

Asaâd Oubrahim moved from Morocco to Canada in 2022. He is highly interested in art and music and is a musician and a writer. Asaad aims to spread healthy thinking in his community and support people who struggle with mental health. He believes that every single person should be treated with kindness and respect. He hopes to gain new skills and knowledge and enjoy new opportunities in Canada.

Bob Bradshaw Byakuleka is an ardent Socio-Political activist and businessman who came to Canada in 2022. He brings with him a wealth of experience dealing with disadvantaged communities, as a UN volunteer, and his worldwide travels in promoting Agriculture.

Bradshaw is a highly compassionate individual, as reflected in his passion to promote COVID -19 vaccination and outreach programs with TSN and ICHA. Bradshaw is a strong advocate against gender-based violence (GBV). As a White Ribbon Male Ally, he has continuously engaged fellow men from his community to create awareness.

Mosab Ahmed moved from Sudan to Canada on May 26, 2022. Since then, he has volunteer in the Sudanese community and worked as a computer lab volunteer at his university. Mosab has an educational and professional background in the IT field and has experience working with diverse communities and managing successful projects.

Taoufik is a leading community member that enriches the lives of individuals. He founded a school to help youth to better understand life and face challenges. Taoufik's experience and interest lie in helping and promoting inclusive ideas to make the world a better place.

Ahmad AlMohamad came to Canada in 2016. Ahmad has a great passion for community activities and for helping newcomers. Ahmad would love to give back to his community and support newcomers in their integration journey. Ahmad has a great passion for spreading awareness about the impact of violence and in providing the resources needed to prevent and end all forms of violence against women and girls. Ahmad is keen to engage his community and share key resources to help women and girls who might be at risk of domestic violence.

Daniel Wayanda, graduated from a nursing school. He is currently working as a practical nurse. Daniel has also worked in pharmaceutical companies. In addition, Daniel is an artist and the founder of ALLARTS4ALLHEARTS—where he creates diverse artworks and paintings. Daniel can be found on Instagram at @allarts4allhearts. Daniel is passionate about creative expression and art for social change; where he envisions healthy couples, who also live in a healthy home. Daniel believes that his art can promote healthy relationships and can be used as a tool to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Junior Mandoko, a Franco-Ontarian, Master of Law (LL.M), researcher, federal civil servant, college professor and author of two books on human rights, women's rights, food security and sustainable development. Junior is very involved in the Francophone community of Ontario, he is interested in Immigration Law, Refugee protection and Women's rights. Junior has always been committed to ending sexual violence in all its forms. Junior has published several articles on this subject in order to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining harmonious social relations between women and men in society.

Khalid Ouadoud, holds a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics and a degree in international trade and international marketing. Khalid moved to Canada in 2003 and settled in Montreal. Khalid has been living in Mississauga since 2017 and working in an international shipping company. Khalid is a father of two teenagers; which has always engaged him to be part of their activities and encouraged him to seek a certificate for soccer coaching—a sport that his children are passionate about.

​Yaya Diane, holds a Master's degree in Financial Crime investigation. He has several years of experience in the banking and the financial field. Yaya is currently a Credit Risk Analyst at American Express. Yaya also works in the Afrogui Association as a Secretary General of Information and Communication. Yaya is also a member of the Parent Council of the Viamonde School Board. Yaya has always taken part in activities that promote the right to equality between men and women and gender-based violence prevention.

Ammar is of Syrian background, and immigrated to Canada in 2015. He has continued his education in Canada and became a certified Project Manager. Ammar decided to be a White Ribbon male ally, because he believes in women’s right to live free from violence. The impact of violence ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences, and he believes that we should all stand to stop the violence against women and girls, by educating others and sharing knowledge.

Desire is a Canadian man born in Eastern Africa in Burundi. He moved to Canada in March 2002, and settled permanently in Toronto. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Public and International Affairs from York University. Due to his high interests in immigration and refugees’ issues, he also completed a graduate certificate in Forced Migration and Refugees Issue, also from York University.

His work experience is highlighted by his commitment to immigration and refugees’ issues, and he currently serves as a homeland agent for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in GTA.

Habib was born in Morocco, obtained his MBA in financial management in USA and moved to Toronto, where he has lived for the last 15 years. Habib volunteered in several non-profit organizations such Moroccan Association, OUMA youth soccer, and various others.

He is inspired by the possibility of change, and is deeply concerned about all forms of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual, emotional/ psychological, and financial, and the long term physical and mental health harm of gender-based violence. For these reasons, he wants to be a White Ribbon male ally in Toronto.

Mahdi is of Djibouti origin and a former Foreign Service Officer, who volunteered in foreign aid programmes funded by Global Affairs Canada. He has been part of projects aimed to increase the ability of local in-country partners to address local challenges and enhance Canadians’ participation in, and understanding of, Canadas’ international development work. Having a great passion for community service, he was also the secretary of the non-profit organization ‘Madbakh Women Initiative Inc’, an initiative in the heart of Etobicoke aimed at empowering children and families in the eastern African communities.

Sofonias is a Torontonian originally from Ethiopia. He is currently attending his last year at Ryerson University studying Biomedical Science. He also has a tremendous passion towards visual art, which he uses to spread awareness of various issues in his community, in the hopes of making an inclusive environment for everyone.

Abdellah moved to Montreal, Canada in 1999 from Morrocco. After a few months in Montreal, Abdellah left for the United States to pursue his dream of studying business where he got his MBA. Abdellah decided to settle down in Toronto, and lives in the North York community. Abdellah has volunteered in numerous non-profit organizations, including United Way, the Moroccan Association of Toronto (AMDT), where he was president in 2011 and vice-president from 2006 to 2008.

Basim is of Pakistani origin and is a high school student looking to pursue an engineering degree. With a passion for community service he enjoys being an activist. Cultural norms, personal experiences and his volunteer work in the community have driven him to spread the word of violence against women, and its prevention.

He is a firm believer of giving back to the community, which is why he decided to participate in The Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Neighbors, Friends, and Families Campaign.

Kamalendran is a first year student in the Social Service Worker program at Seneca College, specializing in immigrant and refugee settlement. He is an outreach intern at CanTYD, acting as a male ally/mentor with youth.

​This is opportunity is aligned with his goal in obtaining a diploma in social service work, breaking stigma leading to discrimination and neglect.

He is inspired by the possibility of change, and is deeply concerned about all forms of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual, emotional/ psychological, and financial, and the long term physical and mental health harm of gender-based violence.

Ralph was born in Montreal to parents from Haiti. He settled in Toronto soon after completing his degree at McMaster University. Ralph was particularly affected by the Montreal Massacre, at that time, his oldest sister was a student there. Ralph reflects back to that day. “My my sister had night class, my family was worried because we didn't have cell phones, as they were not as commons today. Thankfully, she arrived home unscathed, but I will never forget this tragic event.”

Tam is Abyssinian by origin and a first year student at Seneca College, Social Service Worker Program with a focus on immigration and refugees. Tam is working toward obtaining a diploma and career in social service work. He is a passionate about addressing systemic racism centering around Black/Brown community.

​My name is Leroy, and I’m a peer champion with OCASI’s Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign and White Ribbon Canada.

A peer champion is someone who works with other guys in his community to end gender-based violence by teaching others how they can promote healthy masculinities and consent culture.

​I’m a student at Seneca College studying social services, and I choose to be a peer champion for many reasons, not just because a woman gave birth to me.

I joined White Ribbon because of the connection I found in women that has helped shape my life, which replicates a “Best Practice of my existence of 42 years.”

I noticed that I gained more moral support, financial success and opportunities growing up as a youth, becoming a man, from the women I came across in my life.

He is a firm believer of giving back to the community, which is why he decided to participate in The Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Neighbors, Friends, and Families Campaign.