The
White Ribbon Campaign is an international effort
by men and boys towards ending Violence Against Women (VAW). On 25 November (International
White Ribbon Day and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women) men across the world speak out against male VAW. In the UK, the White
Ribbon Campaign runs from 25 November until 10 December (Human Rights Day).
The first
White Ribbon Campaign was launched in 1991 by a group of men in Canada in response to the brutal mass
shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal in 1989. The first White Ribbon Day in the UK was
launched by Womankind in 1998 and in 1999 the UN officially recognised 25 November
as International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women.
It is shocking to note that up to
three million women across the UK experience some form of VAW each year. If we are to challenge the attitudes towards
VAW and behaviours that persist in our society, men must be part of the
solution.
In support of White Ribbon Day,
since 2012 NFWI-Wales has worked with Joyce Watson AM, Assembly Member for Mid
and West Wales on the Not in my Name Campaign; a campaign to recruit male
ambassadors to speak out against VAW and to make a pledge to never commit,
condone or remain silent about VAW.
 |
Ann Jones, NFWI Chair of Federations of Wales Committee, and Joyce Watson AM |
Over
the years, the campaign has been supported by a broad range of bodies and
groups from the Welsh Rugby Union and Glamorgan Cricket to Only Men Aloud, the
Wales YFC and the Cardiff Devils. WIs
have also been using their strong community links to recruit male ambassadors
and groups from their communities such as sports clubs, male voice choirs and
businesses.
 |
| Cardiff Blues |
The White Ribbon is a symbol of hope
for a world where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence. By wearing
a white ribbon and speaking against VAW, men can play their part in raising
awareness that VAW should never be accepted, ignored or excused and challenge
the attitudes and behaviours of a minority of men who use or condone violence
against women.
As
part of our Not in my Name campaign, we are urging people to sign to our
Thunderclap message to send out a strong message that VAW will not be tolerated
and to pledge support for the Not in my Name Campaign. Sign up to the Thunderclap at
Also,
on 25 November, NFWI-Wales will be holding a candlelight vigil in Cardiff Bay
to mark White Ribbon Day, show solidarity with victims of VAW across the world
and spread the message that VAW is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
For
further information about the Not in my Name Campaign, please visit https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/current-campaigns/no-more-violence-against-women https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/current-campaigns/no-more-violence-against-women
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