The RCM’s Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Jayne Bekoe, explains why the College is showing racism the red card on 18 October
You might not think that football and midwifery have much in common. Yes, we all work in teams and we all wear uniforms, but that’s about where the similarity ends. So why is the RCM joining forces with an organisation set up to root out racism in football? It’s true that, when Show Racism the Red Card was first established in the 1990s, it’s goal was to work with footballers to stamp out racism. Since then, though, it has broadened its remit, and now works with organisations across the UK to tackle racism everywhere.
Racism is a systemic issue, permeating all our institutions. It goes beyond football and is well documented in maternity services impacting both the workforce and service users. The RCM has recognised that in order for us to become a truly anti racist organisation we have to equip our staff with the ability to recognise and tackle it in all its forms. Education is an important element to stamping out racism across society. Show Racism the Red Card is a brilliant organisation that works with children and adults, with dynamic programmes that can be tailored to the needs of those participating. That’s why we have been working with Show Racism the Red Card in collaboration with Odd Arts for a number of years.
This year’s Show Racism the Red Card Day is 18 October and its more important than ever to be visibly anti racist following the recent riots by the far right and a rise in racism, islamophobia and antisemitism.
The first Wear Red Day in 2014 saw 7,000 people take part and in 2023 615,000 participants got involved. This year, for the tenth anniversary of Wear Red Day, Show Racism want to get one million people involved. Speak to your local RCM branch about how you can get involved and get creative with wearing red to show your support!
Show Racism the Red Card say about those supporting the event: “As an anti-racist supporter, you are showing your true, brave colours. As part of the team, you make us stronger. Every heart and every mind that we change changes at least one life but has the capacity to change hundreds, if not thousands of others. Be a proud anti-racist. Be the difference. Join us. Wear Red.”
As an organisation, the RCM is anti-racist. We made this clear with the publication of our Race Matters position statement and, more importantly, are living those anti-racist values. We are working to be a positive force for global majority midwives, maternity support workers, students and the women they care for. We collaborate with various experts and stakeholders to address racism and health inequalities, but we must acknowledge that there is a problem. We all need to be part of the solution.
Our staff and activists have attended workshops with the Show Racism the Red Card team so we can recognise and respond to racism at work with an emphasis on skills practice. The bespoke workshops offered delegates the chance to unpack and explore issues in a curious and deliberate manner. Activists around the UK are now getting involved with their own sessions.
Our award-winning Turning the Tide mentorship platform is currently undergoing a revamp so that it can do even more to support global majority midwives and MSWs. The platform gives an opportunity for those maternity staff to match with a mentor from different backgrounds and professions to support with mentoring needs and career development.
Of course it’s not only about stamping out the racism faced by midwives and MSWs. We must also do more to support the women and families from the global majority who access maternity services. The RCM is developing more programmes to support this, including our work on decolonising midwifery education and practice, caring for migrant women and our maternity disadvantage assessment tool.
