All men can make a difference and stop violence against women and girls before it starts.
allyship
What is allyship?
Allyship is about supporting another person’s rights. It’s about taking an active role in learning about their experiences, amplifying their experiences and voices, and supporting their rights.
Allyship to women and girls means men taking action every day to challenge misogyny and sexism in the attitudes and behaviours that they witness, in systems and the media.
Why is your allyship important?
It helps to create a more equal and safer society for all women and girls to live free from the fear of violence.
It helps to break down harmful gender norms and stereotypes, that perpetuate and attempt to legitimise violence against women and girls.
It has a direct impact on boys and men, promoting healthy expressions of masculinity - allowing them to express themselves emotionally and eradicating limiting ideas of what it means to be a man.
We need you to be a part of creating a society where understanding and respect underpin all of our relationships and interactions, so all members of society can thrive.
What young men are doing to show their allyship
What men are doing to show their allyship at work
What men are doing to show their allyship in their personal lives
all men can
We know that not all men commit violence and abuse against women and girls, but #AllMenCan work to prevent violence against women and girls.
Seemingly ‘low-level’ acts of abuse such as cat calling, intrusive staring, sharing sexist jokes and not respecting women’s personal space, all contribute to an environment that normalises sexism and misogyny. By challenging and rejecting harmful attitudes and behaviours, we can all contribute to an environment that is safer for women and girls.
Although all members of society can play a role in culture change, it’s important that men and boys take an active role both in their personal life and in workplaces, to show their allyship and encourage positive change.
How can men be allies?
Men can be active allies by learning, listening to and supporting women and girls. Here are a few ways you can show your allyship:
Listen to and learn about the experiences of women and girls in your life and ask how you can offer support
Call out harmful attitudes and behaviours when you see and hear them, one way you can do this is by using and promoting gender neutral language yourself
Analyse the media that you’re consuming. Does it normalise sexism and misogyny? Stop engaging with it if it does
Make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women and girls
Contribute to your workplace, and community spaces being inclusive spaces for everyone
It takes all men to make a difference
If you see or hear something out of order happen while out or at work, or hear a friend make a dodgy comment, do you feel confident to call it out?
We do need to take care that when we respond to harmful behaviours it is safe for everyone involved. Here are some ideas if you find yourself in that situation:
Don’t feel pressured to laugh along to sexist conversations
Change the subject
Find an opportunity to talk about it with the person away from other people
Walk away, don’t engage with the inappropriate comments or conversation
Get used to saying “that’s not okay” when you hear sexist jokes from friends, family and colleagues
Ask curious questions: What do you mean by that? What makes you think that?
Get started today
Make the White Ribbon Promise; to never use, excuse, or remain silent about men’s violence against women.
Wear the White Ribbon; the global symbol for ending men's violence against women and girls.
Become a White Ribbon Ambassador, joining a network of individuals advocating the White Ribbon message in their workplaces and communities.
Encourage your workplace to become a White Ribbon Accredited or Supporter Organisation to facilitate positive culture change in your organisation and help end violence against women.
Sign up to White Ribbon Training for your workplace to upskill your staff and to promote allyship in the workplace, and in your community.
Help to fund our essential work, through donating or fundraising for White Ribbon UK.
Concerned about your own behaviour?
The way you behave is a choice, and you can choose to stop. The Respect phone line 0808 8024040 is a free, non-judgmental helpline if you are concerned about your own behaviour.