We have launched #TheGoal, for White Ribbon Day 2022, 25th November. This year, White Ribbon Day falls on the same week as the launch of the FIFA men’s World Cup. There is never a better time for us to focus on the good that can come from unifying and supporting one common cause. #TheGoal does just that, it brings men and boys together to think about how they can make a positive difference to achieve equality and safety for women and girls.

The importance of #TheGoal was highlighted during a recent trip to Calder High School.

The White Ribbon UK team were welcomed to Calder High School by the Head Teacher, Tony Guise, and members of the school’s football teams, to celebrate launching #TheGoal.

After explaining to the group why we had descended on their pitch, one girl in the group responded “Yes! We deserve better!”

We do deserve better.

This girl could only have been about 12 years old, and she already knows that things as they stand are not good enough. She knows that she and her peers deserve more, they deserve better. In the UK, the reality of this is that 9 in 10 girls have experienced sexist name calling or received unsolicited images.

All the girls cheered in agreement that they deserve better – with the support of the boys.

The rest of the afternoon saw the boys jumping at the chance to hold up one of the 11 traits on placards. The 11 traits have been developed as part of #TheGoal, chosen by a group of men who believe that by nurturing these traits, men and boys can play an important and positive role in achieving gender equality.

The boys were excited to be seen as gentle, empathetic, supportive, and caring.

The reaction of this group of children is the reason why #TheGoal is so important. Young boys are understanding they can be allies to their girl peers and will go on to be allies to women as they become men.

Creating safe spaces to discuss gender equality and educating young people can eradicate harmful attitudes and behaviour that turn into violence and abuse. Adults need to understand and prioritise education that prevents sexist attitudes from developing in the first place.

Anthony Guise, Head Teacher at The Calder Learning Trust shared his thoughts on our campiang for White Ribbon Day 2022.

We are proud to support the launch of White Ribbon Day 2022 and play our part in changing the behaviours that have no place in the 21st Century and our society.  It shouldn’t just fall on young shoulders to change sexist and harmful attitudes and I hope that as the nation comes together to support the England men’s team at the World Cup, we can all come together to end [men’s] violence against women.  

Because as one of my students explained, “we deserve better’. 

This White Ribbon Day, 25th November, we are calling on you to help us achieve ‘better’. You can access all our downloadable resources for use in your workplace, school and to adopt into your daily life, here.

All men can join the team to end violence against women and girls. That’s #TheGoal.

To order your White Ribbons and other branded items, have a look at our shop here.