MALE staff and pupils at a Derby city school have come together to pledge their support for a UK charity that aims to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root cause.
More than 100 people at The Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter Road, wore white ribbons and signed a giant ribbon for White Ribbon Day; an International Day of Awareness where men and boys show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
This year’s focus is ‘Change the Story’ and, to mark the occasion, Derby City Council, Derby Youth Alliance, Community Action Derby and Derby Theatre have funded a hard-hitting video created by young people – for young people – that also features Derby County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith and Derbyshire County Cricket captain Wayne Madsen.
Derby Youth mayor Muhammad Muntasir led the awareness across the city with several schools showing their support by wearing white ribbons, hosting assemblies and fundraising for local women’s charities.
Mollie Selby organised the week of awareness at The Bemrose School. She said: “We had fantastic conversations about the impact of violence on women and girls, and why it might affect them in certain ways.
“Men across both our primary and secondary phases wore white ribbons in support, and male students signed a giant white ribbon.”
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the stigma and shame surrounding it.
Mollie says that this must change and is proud of The Bemrose School for pledging their support.
“Violence against women and girls encompasses a wide range of harms including domestic violence, stalking and forced marriage,” she said.
“By pledging support and raising awareness through campaigns like White Ribbon Day, we are doing our bit to educate and change long-established and harmful attitudes around masculinity that perpetuate inequality and violence.”
