White Ribbon UK secures funding for project on the primary prevention of violence against women and girls

White Ribbon UK, a leading UK-based charity committed to preventing men’s violence against women and girls (VAWG) by engaging men and boys, has been awarded an Open Societal Challenges (OSC) grant to fund an innovative research project. White Ribbon Day is globally observed on 25 November annually to highlight the need to end to men’s violence against women and girls.

The White Ribbon UK project, titled "Cost-Benefit Analysis of Primary Prevention to End Violence Against Women and Girls," aims to demonstrate the economic and social benefits of investing in preventative measures to reduce gender-based violence. This project is one of the first 12 projects to receive funding as part of OSC’s Challenge Us! competition, designed to address critical societal issues through impactful research.

Project focus and goals

The project will analyse the financial and societal value of primary prevention strategies to reduce men’s violence against women and girls. White Ribbon UK and lead academic Professor Olga Jurasz from The Open University (OU) will work together to explore how early intervention in changing attitudes and behaviours can prevent harmful norms that lead to violence. The team will assess the long-term economic advantages of primary prevention. The analysis will provide robust evidence to support government investment in preventive measures to violence against women and girls.

The study will collate data from UK-based and international sources, focusing on existing successful prevention models and examining their relevance to the UK context. Through this work, White Ribbon UK intends to illustrate the tangible societal benefits of stopping violence before it starts, which can lead to enhanced well-being and safety for women and girls while contributing to a more gender-equal society.

Collaborative effort and expert guidance

The project will leverage insights from the White Ribbon UK team as well as experts at the OU’s Centre for Protecting Women Online, enhancing its reach and impact. This collaboration aims to address the root causes of violence through a primary prevention approach that engages men and boys in changing cultural norms and behaviours. White Ribbon UK’s unique focus on engaging men and boys aligns with its mission to foster healthy expressions of masculinity and contribute to gender equality.

Planned outputs and engagements

Upon completion, the project will produce a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis report that will be widely disseminated to policymakers and stakeholders. Planned outputs include high-profile launch events in the UK Parliament and the Welsh Senedd, ensuring visibility among decision-makers. In addition to the report, White Ribbon UK will organise a webinar for its over 400 partner organisations, empowering them with research-backed evidence to support their advocacy and workplace policies aimed at reducing gender-based violence.

White Ribbon UK also intends to meet with key government departments, including the Department for Education, the Home Office, and the Department for Work and Pensions, to advocate for the integration of primary prevention into policy frameworks. These efforts aim to influence not only public policy but also corporate and educational institutions, potentially leading to significant cultural shifts across various sectors.

Real-world impact and future directions

The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to a landmark shift in how VAWG prevention is prioritized in the UK. Current government funding often focuses on important support services, with minimal investment in primary prevention measures. By providing evidence of the cost savings and societal benefits of primary prevention, White Ribbon UK hopes to secure substantial government funding and policy support for such approaches.

This project underscores the broader implications of White Ribbon UK’s mission and could potentially influence the global discourse on tackling VAWG. Through this OSC-funded research, White Ribbon UK will continue to pioneer efforts to stop violence at its source, benefitting countless individuals and communities while advocating for a safer, more equitable society.

With the OSC funding, White Ribbon UK is well-positioned to make a lasting impact in the fight against gender-based violence, potentially shaping policies and funding strategies to prioritise primary prevention on a national scale.