Aston University Earns White Ribbon Accreditation for Commitment to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls

Aston University has been granted White Ribbon accreditation, symbolising its commitment towards ending violence against women and girls within the university and the wider community.

The accreditation is given by White Ribbon UK, the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. The charity’s work is preventative, and aims to stop violence before it starts, by changing the attitudes, behaviours and systems around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and men’s violence against women.

Over the next three years, Aston University will focus on learning how to identify and root out harmful attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence and to upskill staff and students to become changemakers.

The University’s White Ribbon Steering Group has arranged a number of events in the last five months to spread White Ribbon UK’s message, and more than 60 students and staff have already signed the White Ribbon Promise “to never use, excuse, or remain silent about men’s violence against women”. Relationships have been formed with external partner organisations such as Roshni Birmingham, a charity that works with black and minoritised ethnic communities who are affected by domestic abuse, including forced marriage and honour abuse, and DORCAS UK, a charity that aims to raise awareness about female genital mutilation (FGM).

Professor Osama Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) at Aston University, said:

“Aston University is delighted to have been granted White Ribbon accreditation. Our White Ribbon ambassadors and champions are working to spread the word to staff and students that men’s violence against women is never acceptable. White Ribbon accreditation is not just a tick box exercise, it will run alongside Aston’s domestic abuse policy, and we will be held accountable by a detailed action plan which will be implemented and monitored by our White Ribbon steering group”.

Anthea Sully, Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK, said:

“White Ribbon accredited organisations can make a real difference towards ending violence against women by promoting a culture of respect and equality among their staff and wider communities. By raising awareness among employees, people can learn how to become allies and call out violent and abusive behaviour when they see it. We are delighted to welcome Aston University as one of our White Ribbon accredited organisations and are looking forward to working with them towards ending violence against women once and for all”.