Beyond Equality

How many men are looking for the chance to talk? How much would change, for them, their families and our society, if we opened these spaces? Highlights from a Beyond Equality mini-conference exploring the powerful work being done in the UK and abroad to open up spaces for men to support each other as they process emotions, heal and help create safer and more supportive communities. With a special guest keynote from Aotearoa (New Zealand), She Is Not Your Rehab, discussed their powerful work running men's groups, creating space where men can process trauma, and be part of healing intergenerational cycles of violence. 📽 Featuring Dr Daniel Guinness (Beyond Equality), Matteo & Sarah Brown (She Is Not Your Rehab), Dr Sanah Ahsan & Alex Holmes. In proud partnership with She Is Not Your Rehab, and supported by Movember.

🩸 Beyond the Taboo: Men as Allies for Menstrual Health in the Workplace 🩸 Our recent panel with Bloody Good Period/ Bloody Good Employers sparked powerful questions about how to create menstrual health awareness at work. Here are some highlights: 💬 Who should lead these conversations? Is it more effective when HR, ERGs, or external experts take the lead? 💬 Are men hesitant to engage? How can managers & colleagues feel more confident about starting these conversations? 💬 How can we ensure inclusivity? What’s the best way to include and respect trans men and non-binary folks in these discussions? 💬 Does misinformation add to discomfort? Are lack of research and awareness about conditions like PCOS and endometriosis holding us back? Big thanks to Daniel Guinness, PhD, Elliott Rae, Joseph Gray, and Alex Holmes for their expertise and for always being ready to listen, learn, and help others become better allies and to Kasey Robinson for chairing and organising this! The questions and engagement we saw show how essential these conversations are—and the power of organisations coming together to build a more inclusive workplace. 💼✨ Let’s keep breaking stigmas and building supportive spaces! #MenstrualHealth #Allyship #Inclusion #MensAllyship

At our team retreat last week I felt a shift… We weren’t just talking about change; we were sharing in it! Amongst all the negativity it’s easy to miss how many men are actually stepping up - challenging themselves to learn about other people’s experiences, changing their behaviours, and standing as allies for safer communities. At our recent Beyond Equality staff retreat, we deliberately took time to highlight stories of men making a positive impact. We asked ourselves collectively, “𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?” This question became our guide, fuelling discussions on how we can continue to motivate people by believing in them: whether that be helping them explore better ways to support each other or challenge harmful or violent norms. It wasn’t a quest for perfect men, or even position some people as role models. Instead we spoke about myriad examples of care, integrity, courage, kindness, and joy, to name just a few themes. To me, sharing these examples of positive action show that change isn’t just possible - but that it’s already happening. When we highlight these stories, we create an environment of:
 • encouragement over criticism • impact over intention • momentum over inertia It’s refreshing to lean into the good that we see around us. What moments of male allyship have you seen that you’d like to share? ________________________________
 Dan Guinness, PhD Managing Director, Beyond Equality 🟰 Creating space for gender justice and cultural change 🚀 #PositiveMasculinity #MenAsAllies #InspiringChange

🎉 Beyond Equality Events | October - December 🎉 This season, we’re celebrating milestones and driving action together! Join us for our autumn/winter lineup of events, including our 10-year anniversary, International Men’s Day, and 16 Days of Action. From inspiring workshops to engaging discussions, we’re building momentum toward a future rooted in equity and inclusion. We are especially focusing on: - Inspiration: Men, Masculinities and Allyship -Men's Role in Preventing Harassment 👉 Swipe to explore key dates and register for the sessions that resonate with you! Together, let’s make real change. #BeyondEquality #10YearsOfImpact #InternationalMensDay #16DaysOfAction #CommunityForChange #InclusiveFuture 4o

🌍 Creating Positive Change 🌍 At Beyond Equality, we’re on a mission to reshape perspectives on masculinity, empowering men and boys to build supportive, inclusive communities. Through programs in schools, universities, workplaces, and with professional athletes, we foster mental well-being, healthy relationships, and inclusive cultures. We want to give men and boys options not often shown to them, and give them the courage to become the people they want to be, showing up better for themselves and as allies for those that may need it. We want to reshare our trailer which highlights these transformative efforts with youth programs and media projects. ✨ https://lnkd.in/edrCiae5 #BeyondEquality #MentalHealth #InclusiveCulture #HealthyRelationships #YouthEmpowerment

It’s been 8+ years since I last danced on the pedals and bust a lung racing on the Siberian pine of the velodrome, which made for a beautiful sensory feel-state stepping back into track centre during the Include Summit last week. This time, however, instead of laying the rollers down and having a frank conversation with my legs, I was on main stage reppin’ Beyond Equality and moderating a panel on ‘Men’s Mental Health & Wellbeing: Exploring The Potential Pressures & Power Of Support’. Was super interesting to hear all of your thoughts on the mic in this conversation Akusile Makawa Paul Grant Williams Ben Grey - let's continue those chats going forward! And for you, track cycling, I miss you, and I promise you I'll be back one day 👁️ 🚲 👁️

🇪🇸 Spain’s Menstrual Leave Law: A Year On 🇪🇸 In 2023, Spain became the first European country to introduce menstrual leave, offering paid leave for those experiencing severe menstrual pain. However, uptake has been limited, with under 1,600 requests in the first year due to low awareness and workplace stigma. This law highlights that true progress requires not only policy but also a shift in workplace culture and acceptance. 🗓 31st October, Online, 12 -1pm Join Beyond Equality and Bloody Good Employers as they host an event exploring this issue further—shedding light on the journey towards genuine inclusion and equality at work. https://lnkd.in/ewFQKM_g #genderequality #workplacewellness #BeyondEquality #Spain #menstrualleave

I’m super excited for this 🎉

 I’ve been advocating for regulation and support for over a decade and now we’re going to see a step to this becoming reality! Here’s how the new regulations released by the Office for Students will shape the next generation of stronger students, graduates and future employees: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹: Universities are now obliged to maintain a single, transparent source of information on harassment and misconduct policies. → THIS MEANS expectations are set for students, leading to less confusing processes during difficult moments. 2️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵: The regulations require that institutions provide comprehensive support systems, including mental health services and personal support for those affected by harassment or misconduct. → THIS MEANS crucial support to allow students to heal, and, hopefully, continue with their studies. 3️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽: By mandating policies that encourage student voices, these regulations will foster leadership and collaboration skills. → THIS MEANS graduates will emerge more confident in engaging with others’ perspectives, thinking practically about complex issues, advocating for inclusion, and navigating diverse teams. 4️⃣ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Working in this space for 12 years, I have seen the difference between explorative education and tick box education focused on definitions and policies. → THIS MEANS reduction in incidents of harassment. Building campus cultures that foster psychological safety and consent culture. 5️⃣ 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: While addressing harassment, universities must also cultivate space for critical discussions and freedom of speech. → THIS MEANS these two principles should be mutually supportive, with an absence of harassment creating the foundation for nuanced, informed conversations conducted with appropriate sensitivity. Regulations will come into play on 1 August 2025. There will still be much work to done, with universities needing to implement 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 policies, support and education programmes, not just looking for the passing grade. The government could significantly drive progress with further investment of resources and working with specialists to establish the high standards for universities. How do you see Condition 6 impacting the future of the workforce? ________________________________________________________ Dan Guinness
 Managing Director, Beyond Equality 🟰
 Creating space for gender justice and cultural change 🚀 #FutureOfWork #HigherEducation #EmployeeWellbeing

To me this wasn’t just about one horrific train ride... When we take a closer look at the people involved, a lot is revealed about what MUST change. As someone who has gotten so much from sport as a spectator and fan, it’s deeply sad when I hear experiences of sporting culture creating scenarios where abuse occurs and is laughed off. Each person in the story had the 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, but their actions and inactions only made the situation worse. Here’s where we can to do better: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 – As someone present in crowded transport systems after matches, and with some authority, there’s an important role in ensuring that people’s safety remains a top priority, and harassment is dealt with seriously and quickly. But when approached for help, he shrugged it off. Was it due to inadequate training or a lack of awareness? Or a feeling like the problem was too big. Frontline staff need the right tools, empathy and awareness to intervene in situations like this. Proper training could make the difference between addressing instances of harassment when they happen, and before they degenerate into a culture that accepts abuse. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 – Silence of bystanders enabled someone to continue their assault. Laughter only motivated it further, creating even more chance this will happen again in the future, as empathy with someone’s fear is replaced by joy of someone exploiting power at someone else’s expense. Many people in the train had a chance to intervene, directly calling for it to stop or creating space for her to move away, or any number of other actions that would have stopped this. Instead, they laughed. This points to a deeper issue—a culture where harassment is seen as funny. Allyship or active bystander training can help shift this norm, encouraging us to step up when we witness abuse. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 – His behaviour wasn’t just an isolated act of aggression; it was shaped by a culture that too often tolerates misogyny. Real change begins when we confront the entitlement that allows someone to believe they have the right to publicly humiliate and assault another person. Sexual assault is a complex and layered issue. While we can outline the failure of individuals, the reality is the problem goes beyond them, to the wider culture that live in. 
 This is a responsibility we all share. We must make public spaces safe for everyone and hold each other accountable. We need this change to allow our sports to give everyone the chance to enjoy the spectacle and be part of the collective. We need to pass a different culture on to our children—they are watching and learning. Perhaps it’s time to confront the societal and structural norms that allow such behaviour to happen? As men, I believe this is our problem to solve. Dan Guinness Managing Director, Beyond Equality 🟰 Creating space for gender justice and cultural change 🚀

https://lnkd.in/eC4EKGSV A recent UK survey found that nearly two-thirds of women work while experiencing painful and disruptive menstrual symptoms like cramps, fatigue, and headaches. Despite the negative impact on their performance, many feel unable to take time off, citing stigma or inadequate workplace policies. The findings highlight a critical need for more inclusive, supportive work environments that acknowledge and accommodate menstrual health. Workplaces are urged to create flexible work options and educate managers on the importance of this issue. To further this conversation, join our anticipated upcoming event with Bloody Good Employers, "Beyond the Taboo: Men as Allies for Menstrual Health in the Workplace". This event focuses on the role men can play in fostering a more understanding and supportive workplace for menstrual health. Encouraging men to be active allies is key to breaking down the stigma and ensuring all employees feel comfortable managing their health without fear of judgment or career consequences. Join us on 31st October here: https://lnkd.in/eiT79Dmk Kasey Robinson Daniel Guinness Elliott Rae Joseph Gray