We Speak Up: Jason Kwaku-Kafui Selormey

Photo: Claudia Janke

Meet Jason Kwaku-Kafui Selormey, a White Ribbon UK Ambassador and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager committed to speaking up and taking action to help end violence against women and girls. We spoke to Jason about why he became an Ambassador and how he’s been influenced by the women in his life.

What motivates you to be a White Ribbon Ambassador?   

I think it's just the right thing to do. We live in a society in which people who have openly abused women occupy some of the highest offices in the world and I think it is only right to occupy a position that signals to women that you are a safe space and trying to advocate for a world in which their lives are not in constant danger. Women deserve to feel seen, heard and most importantly - safe.

Police visits to my house growing up inspired me to join the police; to help people. For six years, I worked in uniform responding to 999 calls before I joined the protection of vulnerable persons unit as a domestic abuse officer, and later became the strategic lead for domestic abuse, stalking and honour-based abuse. 

Working directly with victims of domestic abuse, I enabled them to get support, empowered them to leave, and worked with other agencies to implement safeguarding strategies.

Do you have a personal story or experience you’d like to share? 

My commitment to preventing violence against women and standing up for gender equality comes from my understanding that to have a just world in which people can thrive everyone needs to feel safe. This comes from the woman who raised me, my later mother, Belinda Selormey. She was a miraculous woman who taught and showed me the value of keeping women safe and making sure they feel loved. I have sisters, aunts and a fiancé too but even if I didn't, it's clear there is a history of women being oppressed and anything I can do to alleviate this, I believe is my duty.

What message would you give to other men, to encourage them to be allies to women and girls?  

As men, we created a global system of oppression that gives us all a unique privilege as men. This system is oppressive to us as men as it pigeonholes us into traits rather than individuals. It also has normalised violence and oppressive towards women at an extortionate rate. Us creating it means it is our duty to destroy it and becoming an ally is the first of many steps. Join us and help build a truly equitable society.