White Ribbon Australia is a national primary prevention organisation. We engage men and boys as part of the change, while working with women, communities, workplaces, schools and specialist organisations to advance gender equality, respect and safety.
Violence against women is a national problem that requires action across every part of society. White Ribbon Australia exists to help build that action, with a particular focus on engaging men and boys in prevention.
White Ribbon Australia works alongside communities to prevent violence by engaging men and boys, challenging gender norms, and promoting gender equity through education, advocacy, and social action.
An end to all forms of men’s violence and abuse against women and children.
On December 6, 1989, a man armed with a rifle entered an engineering and science institute in Montréal and murdered 14 women while injuring many others.
In the wake of this tragedy, now known as the Montréal Massacre, a small group of men banded together to look for ways to oppose violence against women and gender inequality.
In 1991, the White Ribbon movement was born, inspiring men and boys to take responsibility in making violence against women a whole of community issue.
In 2007, White Ribbon Australia was established, and since then, we have been working tirelessly to stop all forms of men’s violence against women and children through education, advocacy, and community-led programs.
Today, White Ribbon is the largest global social movement dedicated to ending men’s violence against women and children.
The White Ribbon symbolises men giving up their arms, a commitment to never commit, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women. It stands for a vision of a violence-free world and reflects the dedication to making that vision a reality.
We advocate for primary prevention. Working with governments and partners to strengthen gender equity, challenge harmful norms, and engage men and boys in building respectful relationships that shift culture.
Supports organisations to embed evidence-based standards, strengthen policies and systems, and build staff capability to prevent and respond to violence and abuse.
Delivering practical learning for workplaces, schools, sporting clubs and community groups to address the drivers of gendered violence and build cultures of respect, equity and accountability.
“You Can Ask That” panels create safe, structured spaces for honest conversation about respect, gender equity and harmful social norms. Through guided discussion and open Q&A, they support early intervention by building understanding, confidence and shared responsibility.
Our campaigns turn insight into action by engaging men and boys in practical, everyday prevention. Informed by WeListen consultations, Not Perfect, Better encourages small, real steps towards respect, equity and accountability across workplaces, homes, sport and social settings.
Empowers individuals and groups to take practical action in their own communities by starting conversations, sharing resources and promoting respectful behaviour.
Preventing men’s violence against women requires men and boys to be part of the change.
Most men do not use violence. All men and boys can help challenge the attitudes, behaviours and gender inequalities that allow violence to occur.
By encouraging respectful relationships, speaking up when something is harmful and modelling healthier forms of masculinity, men and boys can influence their peers, families, workplaces and communities.
White Ribbon Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.