White Ribbon is Australia’s only national male led campaign to end men’s violence against women.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But it isn’t just confined to Australia – it is also the world’s largest movement of men and boys working together to end any violence towards women and girls carried out by men.
Through its events and awareness programs, the White Ribbon foundation aims to promote gender equality, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.
The idea of White Ribbon originated in Canada in 1991 after a massacre of 14 female university students by a male counterpart brought disbelief to the nation. The campaign is now active in more than sixty countries worldwide.
The charity’s vision is one where all women are respected and live in safety, free from all forms of men's violence.
White Ribbon is a unique, national primary prevention and social change organisation, that works through a primary prevention approach.
This feature is supported by:
It is based on the understanding that men are central to achieving the social change necessary to stop violence against women.
The goal is to engage men to stand up, speak out and act to influence the attitudes and behaviour of some men who commit violence against women, based on the understanding that most men are not violent.
Through education, awareness raising, creative campaigns, preventative programs and partnerships, White Ribbon provides the tools for men to stop violence against women in their community and beyond.
The mission of White Ribbon charity is all about making women's safety a man's issue too.
Programs with youths, schools, workplaces and across the broader community are being put into place for the future.
The cost of violence against women to the Australian economy is estimated to rise to $15.6 billion per year. Intimate partner violence is now the leading contributor to death, disability and ill-health in Australia for women who are aged between 15-44 years old.
Creating awareness around the issue hopes to ensure change in the future and for the generations that follow.
White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 25.
White Ribbon Day signals the start of the 16 days of activism to stop violence against women, which ends on Human Rights Day, December 10.
There is hope, because research also shows that by building greater equality and respect between men and women, we can reduce attitudes that support violence.
It also shows that social policy initiatives addressing gender inequity are central to reducing violence against women.
The public can show their support by proudly wearing a white ribbon or white wristband on November 25 this year, as a visual symbol of their commitment to supporting the cause.
Related: