We all agree, violence against women and girls is not just a personal tragedy or a policing issue. It is a public health emergency. It is a societal injustice.

And it is, in part, a cultural failure – one which has been allowed to persist for too long, including within our own workplaces, institutions and professions. Yet, too often, the burden of tackling it is placed on women alone. This motion seeks to change that.

White Ribbon UK, founded in 2005, is part of the global movement to end male violence against women and girls by engaging men and boys to be part of the solution. It’s not about blame. It’s about responsibility.

White Ribbon works to challenge the attitudes, language and behaviour which make harassment and violence seem normal, excusable or ignored. And crucially, it offers a pathway for organisations such as ours to lead by example. If we pass this motion, we direct the BMA to work towards becoming a White Ribbon-accredited organisation.

What does that mean?

– Appointing ambassadors and champions – especially men – who stand up against harassment, misogyny and violence

– Embedding respect and gender equality into our training, policies and events

– Creating a culture where violence is not just condemned in words but actively prevented in practice.

Healthcare is not immune from the problem. Far too many of our female colleagues – students, trainees, consultants, nurses and others – have stories of harassment, bullying – even assault. Sometimes from patients. Sometimes from peers.

And too often, these stories are met with silence, minimisation or fear of reprisal.

As a trade union and professional body, the BMA must do more than just support individuals when harm occurs. We must take steps to change the culture that allows harm to happen in the first place. White Ribbon accreditation gives us that opportunity.

We would not be alone in doing this. Organisations across the public and private sectors – including NHS trusts, councils, universities – are already accredited or working towards it.
It shows staff, students and the public that we are serious. That we don’t just pay lip service to equality and safety. We embed it. We lead it. We live it.

So, I ask you to support this motion – not as a symbolic gesture but as a concrete commitment. To say clearly: the medical profession must stand against male violence, and we must actively work for a world where women and girls are safe – not just in theory but in every hospital, lecture theatre, surgery and street.

Let the BMA medical academic staff committee lead the association in taking this step.

Let us become a White Ribbon-accredited organisation.

David Strain is chair of the BMA medical academic staff committee