Rural Action Derbyshire is encouraging people to pledge £16 towards tackling domestic abuse this month, as they take part in the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and White Ribbon Day campaigns.  

Through our rural domestic abuse awareness project The Willow Project, we will run a series of podcasts from Friday 25 November dedicated to exploring the themes of ‘positive masculinity’ and ending femicide.  

The special episodes of The Willow Pod will be hosted by award-nominated Events & Marketing Executive Skye Peat and The Willow Project Officer Emily Brailsford, and will be available on the charity’s website, as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  

Aiming to break down the harmful traits of toxic masculinity and denounce stereotypes that say certain values and emotions are 'masculine' or 'feminine', the principle of positive masculinity is seen as a crucial step towards making society a more accepting, open-minded place, and is the main focus of White Ribbon Day 2022.  

This is particularly important in rural communities, where patriarchal structures are still surprisingly commonplace, creating environments that can be damaging and inhibiting for women.  

And while many may not believe femicide is particularly prevalent in the UK today, The Femicide Census found that over 100 women were killed by men across the country in 2020, highlighting the vital work that is needed to clamp down on gender-based violence.  

These alarming figures demonstrate why ending femicide, the theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, is as important in our country as anywhere else across the globe.  

The Willow Project’s podcast series will run until Human Rights Day on Saturday 10 December and will encourage people to consider their role in preventing rural domestic abuse and tackling toxic masculinity, as well as emphasising the importance of ensuring the safety of women and girls.  

This will be accompanied by regular blogs and social media posts which will aim to raise awareness for these key issues, as well as encourage donations to Rural Action Derbyshire’s Hardship Fund, which is used to support domestic abuse survivors across the county.  

“Domestic abuse is a serious issue that affects too many people in rural communities across Derbyshire. A large reason for this is the prevalence of toxic masculinity, and the detrimental impacts that can have on women in these communities.” 

Funds raised will go towards purchasing furniture and white goods for those fleeing abuse, as survivors are often met with empty homes when they leave refuges and sheltered housing to start a new life away from harm.  

Emily Brailsford, The Willow Project Officer, said: “Domestic abuse is a serious issue that affects too many people in rural communities across Derbyshire. A large reason for this is the prevalence of toxic masculinity, and the detrimental impacts that can have on women in these communities.” 

“Our campaign aims to turn toxic masculinity into positive masculinity, and will spotlight the importance of protecting women and girls against violence and threats of violence. Any contributions to our Fund will ensure we can continue to break down harmful patriarchal practices and provide crucial support to survivors in the county.”  

The Willow Project is funded by the Office of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Police and delivers domestic abuse awareness training throughout Derbyshire, helping people to identify the signs of abuse and give them the confidence to report it. 

The Willow Pod

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