We Speak Up: Joe Smith

Photo: Claudia Janke

Meet Joe Smith, a White Ribbon UK Ambassador and Inflight Manager, committed to speaking up and taking action to help end violence against women and girls. We spoke to Joe about his motivations for becoming an Ambassador, his personal experiences, and why it matters for men to be active allies. 

What motivates you to be a White Ribbon Ambassador?  

What motivates me most is the belief that staying silent helps no one. I’ve seen and heard things in workplaces, in public, even among friends; things that aren’t right. And I’ve learned that it doesn’t really take courage to speak up, even when you’re the only one doing it, as long as I know I’m committed to this cause and the essential work White Ribbon stands for I’m confident and positively empowered to challenge. 
 
I’m motivated by the idea that being a good man isn’t just about what you don’t do. It’s about what you’re willing to challenge. That means calling out sexist jokes, shutting down harmful behaviour, and standing alongside women when they’re being ignored, dismissed or disrespected. 
 
As a father to a daughter, and as someone surrounded by strong women in my life like my wife, my sisters, my mother and my colleagues, I feel a deep responsibility to help shape a world where they feel safe, respected and heard. 
 
I want to use my voice to challenge the culture of silence and support those who often feel like they’re standing alone. Whether that’s men who feel alone calling out unacceptable behaviour or women who feel alone with nobody on their side - I hope that the more men like me who stand up for what is right gives those people the confidence they need. 
 
Being a White Ribbon Ambassador gives me the chance to turn motivation into action. I take that responsibility seriously and I’m so happy to be selected! 

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

Becoming a father changed everything for me. I have a daughter and a son, and from the moment they were born, I knew I had a responsibility to help shape the world they’ll grow up in and lead by example. 
 
I want my daughter to grow up knowing her voice matters, that she never has to shrink herself to make others comfortable, and that she deserves to feel safe, respected, and seen - always. She has been, is, and will always be “good enough” as she is and she deserves to live in a world where she’s treated respectfully, kindly and with genuine care. 
 
And I want my son to grow up understanding what respect really looks like. I want him to know that kindness is strength, that silence in the face of mistreatment isn’t an option, and that real men lift others up. Again, parenting him is about leading by example. 
 
My mum taught me compassion and empathy and devoted (and still devotes!) her life to her family, making sure all of us feel supported, respected, safe and loved. That combination of values lives with me every day, and it’s why I care so deeply about this cause. 
 
Being part of White Ribbon is one way I can honour those values and do my bit to leave things better for the next generation. 

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

We have to stop thinking of this as someone else’s problem. Violence against women doesn’t start with physical abuse. It starts with the attitudes and behaviours that too often go unchallenged. The jokes, the comments and really importantly - the silences. 
 
Being an ally means stepping up even when (especially when) it’s awkward, even when your mates don’t get it, even when you’re scared of saying the wrong thing. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present, paying attention, and speaking out when something isn’t right. 
 
It means calling out our friends, holding ourselves to account, and modelling the kind of behaviour we’d want for the women and girls we care about most. For me, it’s remembering that every woman is someone’s daughter, someone’s best friend, someone’s mother, someone’s workmate. 
 
If you’re a man and you’re not sure where to start, start off by just listening. Believe women. Challenge your own assumptions. Speak up when something’s off - even if it feels weird or makes you feel alone. That’s allyship and it’s so powerful. 
 
The truth is that this isn’t about being a “good guy.” It’s about being an active part of a culture that doesn’t excuse harm. We all have a role to play. Do yours.