White Ribbon Around The World

 

The White Ribbon Campaign was created by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man's massacre of 14 women in Montreal. They began the White Ribbon Campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women. It is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men’s violence against women. It relies on volunteer support and financial contributions from individuals and organizations. After only six weeks preparation, more than one hundred thousand men across Canada wore a white ribbon. Many others were drawn into discussion and debate on the issue of men's violence. http://www.whiteribbon.com

 

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly resolved “that violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and freedoms of women ... that there is a need for a clear and comprehensive definition of violence against women, a clear statement of the rights to be applied to ensure the elimination of all violence against women in all its forms, a commitment by States ... and a commitment by the international community at large to the elimination of violence against women” (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women). In December 1999, the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134 declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women

 

In 2000, Australia’s the Commonwealth Government Office for Women has organized around the United Nations General Assembly declaration of November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). The White Ribbon has become the symbol for the day. In 2003, the Australian branch of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM, began a partnership with men and men's organizations to make this a national campaign and distributed ten thousand white ribbons. http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au

 

In 2007, Vera House sponsored its 13th annual White Ribbon Campaign. their 2007 campaign from March 23rd through April 1st, over 42,000 Central New Yorkers wore white ribbons & white wristbands to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence. Vera House held press conferences, launched a poster campaign, sponsored high school and college activities and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to tie white ribbons to mark the official start of the campaign everywhere in town. http://www.verahouse.org/verahousearchives/08wrc.htm

WRC Pakistan was launched in 2006 and has initiated countrywide discussions about strategies for ending violence against women including ways to educate young men, expand their campaign across the county and develop partnership programs with local government. In September 2007, Pakistani White Ribbon Campaign released their first report outlining the number of reported violent incidences against women in Pakistan. WRC Pakistan also launched a powerful and comprehensive website. http://www.whiteribbon.org.pk

The University of Louiseville in Kentucky offers an example of how a college/university has brought the campaign to their community. Organized through their PEACC (Prevention, Education and Advocacy on Campus and Community), center, the group relies on volunteers to host rallies, forums and other activities to engage men in their anti-violence work.
http://louisville.edu/peacc/news-and-events/white-ribbon-campaign.html

 

The White Ribbon Campaign of Vermont sees itself as both an educational and advocacy organization. It publishes a newsletter, maintains a website and speaks out publicly through events and the media. The WRCV also mobilizes its supporters to get involved in matters of public policy. The WRCV makes clear its commitment to supporting the work of the victim advocates and services for abusive and controlling men. Through white ribbon day pin sales, funds are raised to support the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. http://www.whiteribbonvt.org