Young men pave the way to a better future
Young men in Derby launch White Ribbon Day with a community-wide video to raise awareness about men’s violence against women and girls
Male students from secondary schools in Derby brought together members of their a community, including local celebrities, to raise awareness about the role men must play in ending violence against women and girls. Community Derby Action is a White Ribbon Supporter Organisation. The charity provides support and guidance for voluntary and community groups. Their youth alliance network enables responds to the needs of local young people.
This article was originally published by Derby Youth Alliance.
A group of eight male students from across different secondary schools in Derby have come together to create a White Ribbon Day Campaign. White Ribbon Day is an International Day of Awareness where men and boys show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls. White Ribbon UK mark this on 25th November.
This year’s focus is ‘Change the Story’. A video has been produced along with Derby Theatre, by young people and for young people to #ChangeTheStory. The video was funded by Derby City Council, Derby Youth Alliance, Community Action Derby and Derby Theatre and features Joe Wildsmith from Derby County Football Club, Wayne Madsen from Derbyshire County Cricket Club and local music artist Scriptz who are in support of the campaign. The video was produced by local producers Goldbox Productions.
Derby's Youth Mayor, Munti (Muhammad Muntasir) said: “I've chosen to support the White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness against violence perpetrated towards young women and girls as it relates greatly towards my aim of Community Safety. Upon feedback raised by young people during my presentations at secondary schools, it is evident that cases of violence amongst young people (especially young women) are still prevalent and require our urgent attention. So, I see the White Ribbon Campaign as a valuable step towards the right direction in not just educating our young people on appropriate behaviour and language towards women but taking what they have learned into action - for everyone's benefit”.
Several secondary schools in Derby City are participating in raising awareness week beginning 20th November 2023 by showing the White Ribbon campaign video and White Ribbon presentation to all year groups in form time or school assemblies, male students and staff wearing white ribbons, fundraising for local women’s charities, and for getting creative and designing giant white ribbons for a city-wide competition.
Young people from Voices in Action Youth Council co-produced the White Ribbon campaign and video with Derby Theatre.
Some of the young men from the Voices in Action Youth Council helped to create over 6000 ribbons to distribute to schools and community groups across Derby City to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Day campaign.
Young women from Voices in Action Youth Council and Derby Theatre Youth Theatre group were filmed as the representation of statistics for the campaign video.
Derby Youth Mayor Munti played a key role in the video and demonstrated being a young male who is prepared to stand up and speak out amongst his peers.