Go-Ahead Ireland and White Ribbon Ireland formalise partnership to support lasting cultural change

Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI) and White Ribbon Ireland, a campaign led by the Men’s Development Network, have formalised a new partnership aimed at engaging GAI’s 1,000+ colleagues in preventing gender-based violence and promoting a culture of respect, equality and safety.

Operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Go-Ahead Ireland sees the partnership as an opportunity to use education and awareness to encourage positive conversations among colleagues, while supporting its wider commitment to making public transport an environment where everyone feels safe, respected and welcome.

For Go-Ahead Ireland, creating safer and more inclusive public transport is about more than the journey itself. It starts with the culture within the organisation and with giving colleagues the knowledge and confidence to recognise harmful attitudes and behaviours, challenge them appropriately, and understand the positive role they can play in creating change.

With more than 1,000 colleagues and tens of millions of passenger journeys each year, the organisation recognises the wider reach of those conversations. By working with White Ribbon Ireland, Go-Ahead Ireland hopes to encourage colleagues to take the message beyond the workplace and into their families, friendships and communities.

The partnership also reflects Go-Ahead Ireland’s ambition to encourage more women to consider careers in public transport. In an industry which has traditionally been predominantly male, creating workplaces where people feel respected, supported and safe is an important part of making the sector more welcoming and inclusive.

The partnership was formally marked through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Go-Ahead Ireland and White Ribbon Ireland, building on work already undertaken between the two organisations, including White Ribbon training with Go-Ahead Ireland’s senior leadership and management team.

Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland, commented on the signing of the MoU: “To live in a society where everyone feels safe, respected and equal requires a commitment from us all. As businesses, we have an important role to play in supporting initiatives that challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, promote equality and help prevent gender-based violence.

“At Go-Ahead Ireland, we are proud to support White Ribbon Ireland and the important commitment it represents. As an organisation operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we recognise the opportunity we have to lead by example, encourage conversations among our colleagues and be part of creating positive change.”

Fredrick Okungu, White Ribbon Manager, Men’s Development Network, said: ““This is an exciting milestone for White Ribbon Ireland as we strengthen our engagement with the transport sector and work towards lasting cultural change.

“Go-Ahead Ireland offers a valuable opportunity to bring the White Ribbon message and mission into the workplace and explore wider public awareness initiatives. Together, we aim to encourage meaningful conversations, challenge harmful attitudes and empower colleagues and communities to recognise their role in preventing gender-based violence.

“We commend Go-Ahead Ireland for taking this important step and recognising that prevention is a shared responsibility. Partnerships like this can help advance the aims of Ireland’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and inspire other organisations to contribute to safer, more respectful and equal workplaces and communities.”