By Deb Baxter - The Body ShopInternational Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW)
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.
In 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.
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 230 white ribbon Ambassadors Australia wide, as well as more events across the country and more organisations and individuals participating year upon year.
In 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.
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 230 white ribbon Ambassadors Australia wide, as well as more events across the country and more organisations and individuals participating year upon year.
Through partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation, The Body Shop continues to support White Ribbon Day by selling White Ribbon merchandise in all stores across Australia.
The campaign aims:
• To raise funds for the White Ribbon Foundation.
• Increase community awareness of the need to prevent violent and abusive relationships.
• Change community attitudes so that men and women have healthy relationships free of violence.
• Get as many customers (particularly men) purchasing and wearing White Ribbons as we can.
Why?
• Statistics indicate that one in four women who have ever been in a relationship have experienced violence by a partner. This is an issue that is of major concern in the world today, in Australia, in our local communities, and among our friends and families. Through our support of White Ribbon Day we have continued opportunity to bring this issue out from behind closed doors.
• A study found that family violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness for women aged 15-44 years. It is responsible for more of the disease burden than many well-known preventable risk factors such as smoking, obesity or high blood pressure. (Vic Health, 2004)
• There is no excuse for abuse.
• To raise funds for the White Ribbon Foundation.
• Increase community awareness of the need to prevent violent and abusive relationships.
• Change community attitudes so that men and women have healthy relationships free of violence.
• Get as many customers (particularly men) purchasing and wearing White Ribbons as we can.
Why?
• Statistics indicate that one in four women who have ever been in a relationship have experienced violence by a partner. This is an issue that is of major concern in the world today, in Australia, in our local communities, and among our friends and families. Through our support of White Ribbon Day we have continued opportunity to bring this issue out from behind closed doors.
• A study found that family violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness for women aged 15-44 years. It is responsible for more of the disease burden than many well-known preventable risk factors such as smoking, obesity or high blood pressure. (Vic Health, 2004)
• There is no excuse for abuse.
There are a number of ways you can get involved in White Ribbon Day
Send an E-Ribbon
Donate to the White Ribbon Foundation
Volunteer - Support is welcomed.
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