This year, the White Ribbon Campaign encouraged men to be positive role models for the young men and boys in their lives by redefining masculinity and manhood in more compassionate and inclusive terms. The campaign focused on men in their role as caregivers and highlighted active fatherhood as a key component to ending violence against women. Through allying with prominent men, like Joseph Schooling, who were willing to speak out against gender violence, the campaign hoped to inspire more men and boys in Singapore to reflect on these issues.

Over the course of a week, the campaign worked with 18 diverse organisations in Singapore and successfully reached out to 1512 individuals. Various men in leadership roles, such as Minister Ong Ye Kun, Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister Tan Chuan Jin, MP Tan Wu Meng and MP Louis Ng wore the White Ribbon and pledged their support on social media. From the arts world, popular figures like Alvin Tan, Hossan Leong, Sivakumar Palanikrishnan and notable filmmakers and actors at the Singapore International Film Festival sported a white ribbon to show their support. Long-term partners like Oogachaga, The Hidden Good, G-Spot and Tembusu College renewed their support, while new allies like the Vegetarian Society, KBRI Singapore and TSMP Law Corporation also joined in.

This year, we launched White Ribbon Letters, a new initiative to encourage men to pen their thoughts about creating a more gender-equal and violence-free world for a young boy or man in their life. We received a total of 8 letters written by men from various backgrounds. Adrian Pang, Neil Humphreys, Ken Kwek and Marc Nair were amongst the men who participated, and the letters were addressed to their sons, nephews, future grandsons and younger selves. The letters were reflective on issues like sexual consent, respect and care for women and girls, being an active bystander when witnessing harassment or violence, challenging traditional gender roles and unrealistic ideals of masculinity, and other important messages. Many of the pieces were personal and moving, and received heartening support on social media.

Michael Kaufman, a prominent Canadian speaker, writer and co-founder of the White Ribbon campaign came to Singapore during the campaign period and spoke at four campaign events. The events included a discussion on fatherhood and the workplace, hosted by Deutsche Bank, a breakfast session with male leaders from different sectors, a workshop for youth on combating sexual harassment and dating violence, and a public talk on ‘How good dads can change the world’.

Kaufman talked to each audience about his experiences and perspectives on how toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes harm boys and men, and how active fatherhood transforms men and benefits children, partners, workplaces and the community in general. He shared how, around the world, more men are increasingly keen to participate equally in caregiving, and different institutions in society must adapt to this change. Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, the guest-of-honour at the corporate event, talked about the government’s commitment to promoting active fatherhood, and his belief that supportive families can heal and prevent many social problems. The different sessions also addressed the important responsibility that men have to use the platforms given to them to promote gender equality and end male violence. At the breakfast session for male leaders, many guests shared how they were already effecting change in their own spaces and inspired each other to do more. The youth event, too, moved the participants to take a stand against gender violence by providing safe spaces on campus and intervening when they saw instances of sexual harassment or bullying.

Kaufman’s visit marked the end of White Ribbon week 2016, but what we hope is the beginning of a vibrant movement that brings men into the conversation about creating equality and eliminating violence against women.

View photos from the events here.