Mayo schools urged to join White Ribbon Ireland's post-primary programme

Schools across Mayo are being urged to join White Ribbon Ireland’s Post-Primary Schools programme – led by the Men’s Development Network – which highlights schools as the potential missing link in addressing Ireland’s gender-based violence crisis.

The programme supports school staff to create safer, more respectful school environments. It helps staff build confidence challenging harmful gender norms and attitudes, and guides conversations with young people about healthy relationships and equality. First launched in 2022, the programme now has 11 schools registered across the country including Kerry, Dublin, Wicklow, Louth, and Meath.

Fredrick Okungu, the manager of the White Ribbon programme in Ireland, said: “The commitment amongst the participating schools has been extraordinary with tangible results of positive attitudinal change. However, the latest reporting indicates that there are around 1,300 domestic incidents reported to An Garda Siochana each week, with 67,000 calls received in 2025. We cannot educate our way out of violence after it happens. We need to instil a culture of respect and accountability before negative attitudes become entrenched, and so, schools are one of the most important frontlines in prevention efforts. The classroom presents one of the best opportunities we have to challenge cultural attitudes which condone, trivialise, and normalise disrespect and abuse.”

The Men’s Development Network has led the White Ribbon campaign in Ireland since 2010, working in partnership with women’s organisations and Cuan - the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency. It will host the White Ribbon Ireland Conference 2026 at the Aviva Stadium on November 19, under the theme ‘Change the Story’.

The event will include a keynote address from the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, three thematic panel discussions, workshops, and a closing White Ribbon Pledge Ceremony.

Minister Jim O’Callaghan added: “I want to provide an assurance, particularly to women and children that I am steadfast in my determination to confront domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence in all its forms.

“I recently secured the enactment of reforming legislation through the Oireachtas to strengthen laws and protect victims and survivors further. I am actively working on additional measures that focus on the harmful effects of extreme and violent pornography on young people’s understanding of healthy relationships and consent.

“Gender-based violence is a scourge in our society. Given the scale of the harm being done, it requires urgent attention, and the third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) demonstrates our national commitment to realising a society where there is zero tolerance. The four pillars – prevention, protection, prosecution, and policy coordination - underscore the critical importance of adopting an inclusive, whole-of-government approach, driven by collaboration between departments, statutory bodies, service providers, and civil society.”

The White Ribbon Ireland Conference 2026 will fall on International Men’s Day, immediately ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence thereafter.

Sean Cooke, the chief executive of the Men’s Development Network said: “Building the capacity in schools to have a cultural, social and educative framework to support systemic and attitudinal change is the only sustainable way to this cultural shift away from violence. We need to have frank conversations about prevention. This dialogue should be happening at every level of society around the kitchen table, in schools, youth and sports clubs, workplaces – every setting, and every day.

“For 29 years, Men’s Development Network has been positively engaging men and boys, encouraging them to be their most authentic selves, mind their wellbeing, and support them in being allies in addressing violence against women. As an organisation we acknowledge the poor behaviours of men and work with men on perpetrator intervention programmes. However, prevention is, and always will be, the cure. People are not born violent; violence is a learnt behaviour. It’s time to unlearn - to teach men and boys that they can be the agents of change, they have a role to play in the prevention of violence against women and girls.

“As proactive allies they can ‘Step In’ to the conversation and listen to the concerns of the women and girls in their lives, they can ‘Step Up’ and safely challenge their peers on inappropriate language and attitudes, and they can ‘Step Back’ and reflect on their privilege and the positive actions they can take.”

In addition to its work with schools, White Ribbon Ireland is also supporting corporate partners, most recently formalising a partnership with transport operator, Go-Ahead Ireland which will engage more than 1,000 staff on gender-based violence prevention.

Dervla McKay, managing director of Go-Ahead Ireland, commented, “To live in a society where everyone feels safe, respected, and equal requires a commitment from us all. As businesses, we have an important role to play and as an organisation operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we recognise the opportunity we have to lead by example, encourage conversations among our colleagues, and be part of positive change.”

For more information visit here.