White Ribbon Campaign 2025 -Woolwich Poly Stands Up Against Violence
What is White Ribbon Day?
White Ribbon Day, held annually on 25th November, is an international day of awareness where communities unite to stand against violence towards women and girls. Running through to 10th December, this campaign forms part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
At Woolwich Poly, we are proud to support this vital initiative, encouraging our students and staff to speak up, challenge harmful behaviours, and create a culture of respect and equality.
Why It Matters
Recent studies highlight the urgent need for change:
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77% of girls and young women aged 7–21 experienced online harm in the past year (Girlguiding, 2024).
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93% of girls and young women do not feel completely safe in public places (Plan International UK, 2024).
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51% of young men believe society expects them to “man up” when facing challenges (Future Men, 2022).
These statistics show why campaigns like White Ribbon Day are essential in raising awareness and inspiring action.
We Speak Up: Inspiring Ambassadors
This year, White Ribbon UK has partnered with award-winning photographer Claudia Janke to spotlight 16 inspiring men who have pledged to speak up for women and girls. Each ambassador’s portrait and story will be shared daily across the 16 Days of Activism.
You can explore their pledges and stories here: We Speak Up – White Ribbon UK.
How Our Community Can Speak Up
At Woolwich Poly, we encourage students and staff to take practical steps to challenge sexism and promote respect. You can speak up by:
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Treating everyone with respect.
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Refusing to laugh at sexist jokes.
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Avoiding harmful phrases like “man up” or “don’t be such a girl.”
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Reporting, blocking, and muting sexist posts online.
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Leading by example in everyday interactions.
We are inviting all tutor groups to share 5–10 ways they can speak up. Responses will be collated into a poster celebrating our collective commitment. Forms can be submitted via Microsoft Forms or emailed directly to rbrunton@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk.
Our Commitment
White Ribbon Day is more than a campaign - it’s a call to action. At Woolwich Poly, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where every student feels respected and valued. Together, we can build a future free from violence and inequality.