So for those of you who don’t know – a white ribbon is the symbol for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) which was set in place in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. This day is commemorated on the 25th of November each year.
White Ribbon Day started because on 6th December, 1989, a man walked into a Montreal university and killed 14 of his female classmates. This traumatised the nation of America and brought violence against women as a serious topic to the forefront of many people’s mind. A couple years later a few men in Toronto took up the responsibility of speaking out about and worked to stop violence against women. The outcome was an annual White Ribbon Campaign held between 25 November and 26 December in Canada, to draw awareness to this issue. It was 2003 before the White Ribbon Campaign started in Australia.
The White Ribbon campaign is unique in that it is the only national campaign in Australia and globally the world’s largest, that is led by men to end violence against women by promoting that it’s a man’s issue too! It also raises awareness among men and boys about their role in preventing violence against women, and appeals men to take an oath. This oath states that, “I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women”. This international day is the commencement of sixteen days of activities and promotion to put an end to violence against women, which concludes on Human Rights Day, 10th December.
White Ribbon Australia also runs, promotes and encourages activities all year round predominantly through initiatives that raise awareness and education, and programs in workplaces, educational facilities, throughout the wider community, and with young people. They encourage men to be active bystanders supplying them with ideas of what they can do when they witness violence against women, are aware of violence and standing up to violence - http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/whatmencando
The site also states that there are six main ways you can assist with the year round White Ribbon promotion:
1. Ambassador;
2. Advocate;
3. Workplace;
4. Schools & Young People;
5. Supporter;
6. Partner.
Why not look them up and be a part of the prevention of violence against women?
Until next time – remember, safety first!
Information for this blog was found at – White Ribbon Australia, http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/ , © 2014, viewed 2 November, 2015.