An Airline Manager from Essex, has been photographed as part of a national portrait series highlighting the men who are speaking up to help end men’s violence against women and girls.
Joseph Smith, 44, who works as an Airline Manager from South End, Essex, is one of sixteen White Ribbon Ambassadors featured in We Speak Up – a creative collaboration between national charity White Ribbon UK and award-winning photographer Claudia Janke.
The campaign brings together 16 men from across the UK who have chosen to use their voices to speak up against misogyny, harassment and harmful gender stereotypes in everyday life. The portraits are for White Ribbon Day (25th November) and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a different man being revealed each day throughout this period.
Joseph, commented on the need for men to speak up, saying: “Being a White Ribbon Ambassador has empowered me to speak up, not just for women and girls, but for the kind of man I want to be. The support I’ve had from those around me has been a reminder that most men do want change, they just need the encouragement to speak up. I’ve learned that change starts with honest conversations – it starts with men. We all have a role to play in making our communities safer and more respectful and it begins with having the courage to speak up.”
The portrait series, which will go on display in Milton Keynes later this month, includes ambassadors from a wide range of backgrounds – from lawyers and public servants to mentors and community leaders – each sharing what being an ally means to them and how change can begin with everyday action.
The portraits were created by Claudia Janke, a London-based artist who has spent more than two decades documenting human rights and women’s equality movements worldwide. Using a traditional instant box camera, the slow, analogue process encourages stillness and connection between photographer and sitter – echoing the collaboration needed to bring about real change.
Speaking about the project, Claudia said: After two decades working on projects highlighting violence against women and girls, I created this project to call men in as allies. Through this work, I finally met men willing to step up, who understood that it starts with them and that it is their responsibility to be part of the change. Hearing their motivations and seeing their commitment was moving and powerful.”
Lynne Elliot, Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK, said: “It’s brilliant to see Joseph speaking up in his role as a White Ribbon UK Ambassador in Essex. We’re seeing more men from all backgrounds using their voices to stand up for women and girls in everyday situations, and Ambassadors like Joseph help make speaking up the norm. This is so important in challenging and changing the culture that enables violence against women and girls. Every time someone stays silent, it’s a missed opportunity to stand up for what’s right.”
The We Speak Up portraits will be on display at centre:mk shopping centre in Milton Keynes, from 25th November to 10th December 2025 to coincide with White Ribbon Day and the UN’s 16 Days of Activism.
All portraits and accompanying videos are available to view online ahead of the exhibition launch at www.whiteribbon.org.uk/wespeakup and across White Ribbon UK’s social media channels, with one individual ambassador story set to be released across each of the 16 days.
