The Mayor of London has rallied London football and rugby clubs together in support of a new campaign that will call on men to “have a word” with themselves about helping to end violence against women and girls.
Khan’s initiative aims to challenge inappropriate behaviours and sexist attitudes exhibited by some men to tackle misogyny and violence towards women and girls.
As a result, 19 football and rugby clubs have pledged their support, including top London football clubs Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and West Ham, and rugby giants Harlequins and Saracens.
The clubs plan to install the campaign message on mirrors in the men’s bathrooms in their stadiums and also feature an open letter from the Mayor in their match day programmes.
Both campaigns will ask men to challenge harmful behaviour and request them to reflect on the way they personally view, treat and talk about women and girls.
The campaign message will also be screened on public billboards and online.
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“In London and across the country we are facing an epidemic of violence against women and girls, committed by men. This must unsettle us all and force us to take a long hard look at ourselves,” The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said.
“I want all of us to be challenging sexism and misogyny – because we all have a responsibility to raise our voices to prevent violence and to help keep women and girls safe.”
A video will also premiere at half-time at the Crystal Palace vs Manchester City game at Selhurst Park tonight. It will dramatize an interaction between a group of men and a lone woman waiting for a taxi home.
Crystal Palace Football Club manager Patrick Vieira added: “This important campaign highlights to men and boys that our thoughts, actions and the way we behave can make a difference towards women.”
The ad campaign is part of the mayor’s revised strategy for tackling all forms of violence against women and girls, which will be published in the next few weeks.
Research by UN Women UK indicated that 71% of all women have experienced some form of sexual harassment. 86% of these women fall between 18-24 years old.
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