Next month will be the 6th year since NFWI-Wales joined up with Joyce Watson AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales to establish the Not in my Name Campaign as part of our mandate to end Violence Against Women (VAW). We are encouraging WIs to get involved, once more, in activities to raise awareness about VAW.
One in four women will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lives and, on average, two women a week will be killed by a partner or ex-partner. Research launched by the NFWI in 2009 found that VAW is a hidden issue happening in communities across the country and over 50 per cent of the respondents from rural and urban areas said they had experienced violence or abuse.
Since November 2012, Not in my Name has seen the recruitment of male ambassadors in speaking out against VAW during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December) and making a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about VAW.
WIs across Wales are being encouraged to use their strong community links to inspire men to get involved in helping prevent VAW by challenging the attitudes, behaviours and gender inequalities that contribute to VAW. Men can be agents of change and play a crucial part as positive role models to help us achieve a culture change where VAW is not tolerated by society.
On 21 November, NFWI-Wales will be hosting a cross-party stakeholder event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay which will include a debate on “engaging men and boys in challenging all forms of VAW”. The winner of the White Ribbon logo competition will also be announced and all entries will be on display. Later that day, a candlelight vigil will take place at 6.30pm on the steps outside the Senedd to engage WI members, stakeholders and the wider public in marking White Ribbon Day. We look forward to welcoming local members, as well as members from as far afield as Powys, in joining us to show solidarity with victims of VAW across the world.
To find out more about the opportunities to get involved in Not in my Name, please visit https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/current-campaigns/no-more-violence-against-women.
