An MP is using International Men’s Day, to be held on Monday, to speak out against violence against woman.
Gavin Newlands MP will speak at the White Ribbon Scotland Conference after becoming an Ambassador for the charity.
White Ribbon Scotland is a charity focused on engaging men to campaign, speak out and take action, including signing the WRS pledge to end violence against women.
The charity engages and works with education establishments at all levels, sports clubs, faith groups, organisations, companies and individuals to highlight the importance of men and boys taking responsibility for their actions and calling out unacceptable behaviour by colleagues, friends and family.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “I was absolutely delighted to be invited to speak at the White Ribbon Scotland Conference which is taking place next week.
I have been a White Ribbon Ambassador for some time now, and as chair of the White Ribbon All Party Parliamentary Group I continue to do what I can to champion the campaign in Westminster. Men need to realise that they can be the most powerful force in tackling the attitudes that other men have towards
women. They can challenge gender based violence by leading by example and by calling out these attitudes whenever and wherever they see them.”
The White Ribbon Scotland campaign is going to be absolutely vital for the eventual elimination of sexist attitudes and gender-based violence in Scotland.”
Louise Macdonald OBE, said: “Gender equality will make life better for everyone in Scotland, so it is vital that everyone plays their part – whether that’s with their families, their friends, their workplaces and their communities. Campaign organisations such as White Ribbon Scotland are vital in challenging misogynistic culture and behaviours which harm boys and men, as well as girls and women, across Scotland every day.”
Davy Thompson, Campaign Director for White Ribbon Scotland said: “This is the fourth annual conference to support the work of our volunteer Speakers who are the backbone of our campaign.
“The Speakers take forward our campaign messages to inform men and boys in Scotland about violence against women (VAW), to raise awareness of White Ribbon Campaigns locally and globally, to educate about the differences men can make in attitudes and behaviours in our society and to train them to become active bystanders who view and address incidents effectively.
“The first thing men can do is to speak out against VAW and help create the gender equality required. Put simply, the changes needed to eliminate violence against women in Scotland cannot happen if one half of society is not participating in making those changes.”