Ambassador Q&A
Mark Green
October/November 2016
This month we speak with Mark Green, who highlights the significance
of fatherhood, and positive male carers, in guiding young children to
establish healthy, and respectful relationships to prevent the
perpetration of violence towards women.
What is your day job?
I am currently the Manager of Grants, Sport and Recreation
Infrastructure, for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, in
Tasmania.
How long have you been a White Ribbon Ambassador?
I first became a White Ribbon Ambassador in 2013. I had previously been aware of this social
movement prior to starting my Ambassadorship journey, and thought it was time I contributed.
Why did you decide to become an Ambassador?
There were a number of factors which led me to become a White Ribbon Ambassador.
Firstly, it was a strong belief in the right of all people to live free from violence – and the positive roles
males can play in preventing this violence.
Then, it was through witnessing the experiences of two colleagues from one of my previous
workplaces. Both were profoundly affected by violence from male partners.
More recently, on becoming a father in 2009, it made me think about the values and beliefs I want to
model for my son and daughter.
Becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation in 2011, further
reinforced for me the crucial role that we all play in helping children grow up in a safe and nurturing
environment. In my professional role, I had the capacity to promote the significance of fatherhood,
and positive male carers in making children’s environment safe and nurturing.
In what ways have you been involved in the White Ribbon Campaign?
In recent times, I have been part of Department of Premier and Cabinet’s commitment to gaining
White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation. Part of my role has been to talk to areas with departmental
staff about White Ribbon and that role Ambassadors play in the prevention of men’s violence against
women. Those talks have generated much discussion about the role we can all play towards
eliminating men’s violence against women, as a workplace and as individuals.
I have also appeared in media stories promoting White Ribbon, and will be speaking to a number of
community organisations. I still recall my first talk to a local community organisation. Following my
presentation, one woman came up to me to tell me she had only recently left a violent relationship
after 25 years, and a man apologized for not being in the audience as it would have raised too many
painful memories for him from when he was a child. They both wanted to talk to me at length about
the important work of WR as an agent of change, in particular for boys and young men.
In my former role as CEO of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation, whenever I spoke to events or
conferences, I would discuss my role as a WR Ambassador and the importance of children growing up
in safe, nurturing environments.
Why is Gender Equality important to you as an Ambassador?
One of the aspects of gender equality which particularly interests me, is the role of is fatherhood as a
driver of change to eliminate inequality. There’s strong evidence that the more we support fathers to
embrace their new vision of masculinity, the more we can move towards gender equality in our
communities.
Entry into fatherhood is seen as a transformational journey that positively changes men and their
relationship with their children and partners. The more involved a father is in the life of their children,
the more likely they are to develop nurturing qualities, which we know is a consistent predictor of
gender equality existing within the family constructs.
What goals do you hope to accomplish as an Ambassador in the future?

For my children to always see me as someone who treats others with respect, and is also
prepared to make a public commitment to reducing violence against women.

To support the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s ongoing commitment to the WR
Workplace Accreditation Program.

To advocate for changes in the way fatherhood is viewed.