White Ribbon 16 Days of Activism 2025

What is White Ribbon and the 16 Days of Activism?

White Ribbon Day is the international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls. The campaign’s iconic white ribbon is a global symbol of the peace we strive to achieve, where men’s violence against women and girls is not tolerated.

The White Ribbon encourages men to speak up against violent and sexist behaviour of other men, and the subsequent 16 Days of Activism allows professionals to share information with the public in a unified way to raise awareness of gender-based violence, and signpost to services for victims, and intervention services.

What does White Ribbon mean to the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Emma Wools?

PCC Emma Wools has pledged to you all in her Police, Crime and Justice Plan (2025-29) to Protect Vulnerable People and Communities, including Online from exploitation and harm. This includes protecting and supporting victims of all forms of violence against women and girls and better understanding and responding appropriately to the drivers of perpetration through a whole system approach. The PCC has also pledged in her Young Person’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan pledged to provide support for children and young people in vulnerable situations.

But this isn’t something the PCC can achieve alone – ending violence against women and girls is a local, national, and global effort, so we will continue to work with partners such as Health, Police, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other Criminal Justice agencies to make strides towards our shared goal of a Safe, Just, and Inclusive South Wales.

PCC Emma Wools had the honour to speak at a White Ribbon Day event at Pontypridd Library on November 25, during which she said:

‘… on this White Ribbon Day, I’d like to thank everyone who is stepping up and speaking up to challenge sexism and help eliminate violence against women and girls.’
PCC Emma Wools

What was our White Ribbon comms campaign?

Over 16 days between November 25 – December 10, the PCC has shared information on commissioned victims’ services & interventions, resources, campaigns, helplines, toolkits, and guidance all relating to violence against women and girls, including online, on various social media channels. Below you can find a summary of organisations we referenced in our 16 Days of Activism campaign, with more detailed content on our social media channels.

These campaigns continue to present opportunities for men to play an active role, and model positive behaviours for boys and men and although White Ribbon and the 16 Days of Activism is over for 2025, every day is a day to stand up to violence against women and girls because every time we ignore something that doesn’t feel right, we miss a chance to set a better example.

You can find out more about White Ribbon here: White Ribbon UK (external website)

You can read the Police, Crime, and Justice Plan here: PC&J Plan

You can read the Children and Young Person’s Police, Crime, and Justice Plan here: CYP PC&J Plan

If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime support is available from both national and local support services. Information on these services and how to contact them is available via the Victims Directory here: Victims Directory