WHITE RIBBON DAYIn 1999, the United Nations General Assembly declared November 25 the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW)
and the White Ribbon has become the symbol for the day.
The White Ribbon Campaign is the only national violence prevention campaign, and it is unique in that it aims to raise awareness among Australian men and boys about the roles they can play to prevent violence against women. The campaign calls for men across Australia to speak out and take an oath. An oath swearing never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. The campaign culminates on White Ribbon Day (25 November) each year, when men and women across Australia are called to wear a white ribbon or wristband as a visual symbol of their commitment and oath. | Quick Links
|
In swearing and wearing a white ribbon, men and boys can act as positive role models and advocates for change by challenging behaviours and attitudes that have allowed of violence against women to occur.
| Campaigns/Events
|
The White Ribbon Campaign in Australia is led by more than 1000 White Ribbon Ambassadors. Ambassadors are men who are leaders in their careers, sporting code or communities and who actively support the White Ribbon Campaign, and encourage other men and boys to become aware and engaged in the campaign. Women also support and expand the campaign through their networks, workplaces and community organisations, as White Ribbon Champions.
|  |
White Ribbon Campaign - History
White Ribbon Day was created by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man's massacre of fourteen women in Montreal. They began the White Ribbon Campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women.
White Ribbon Day was created by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man's massacre of fourteen women in Montreal. They began the White Ribbon Campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women.
 Cathy Richardson, Linda Coates & Allan Wade, White Ribbon Day 2010 | From 2000, the Australian Government
Office for Women ran awareness activities on the International Day, and,
in 2003, the Australian branch of the United Nations Development Fund
for Women, UNIFEM, began a partnership with men and men's organisations
to make this a national campaign. Ten thousand white ribbons were
distributed in 2003.
Today hundreds of thousands of white ribbons are worn by men and women across Australia - men at work; men and women in all Australian police forces; men in national and local sporting matches and organisations; men in the media; men and women in politics; men in the defence forces; men and women in capital cities and in rural and regional Australia. |
The campaign continues to go from
strength to strength and now boasts more than 1000 White Ribbon
Ambassadors Australia wide, as well as more events across the country
and more organisations and individuals participating year upon year.
For further information please visit the White Ribbon Day website.
For further information please visit the White Ribbon Day website.
|
