The leader of a college that is campaigning for an end to violence against women and girls has become an ambassador for the White Ribbon Scotland charity.

The charity is a branch of a movement which started in Canada in 1991 in response to the killing of 14 women at Polytechnique Montréal university campus. 

The founders of the movement wore white ribbons to symbolise non-violence and pledged to “never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls”. The campaign is now is active in 60 countries.

Glasgow Kelvin College principal Alan Sherry has accepted an ambassadorial role after working with staff and students over the past two years to embed the anti-violence against women message throughout the college’s work. The college’s student association spearheaded the campaign which college leadership then got on board with.

Role model

Mr Sherry said he was honoured to take on the role: “The Glasgow Kelvin Student Association has been instrumental in rolling the White Ribbon Scotland message out to our communities and giving men a voice in opposing violence against women.

“Being asked to undertake this role as ambassador is, I feel, a strong recognition of all their hard work in ensuring this key message is passed on through the generations.”

Campaign director of White Ribbon Scotland Davy Thompson said more role models like Mr Sherry were needed.

He added: “If we are going to be successful in our campaign to engage men in the elimination of violence against women we need the support of men such as Alan Sherry.”