Lee-Jean FungAt a recent workshop on Handling Domestic Violence, the Johor Women’s League (Jewels) initiated a white ribbon campaign in Johor Bahru. White Ribbon is the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women.
Thanam Visvanathan, the president of Jewels said for violence against women (VAW) to stop, the men have to be involved and play an active role. The white ribbon was given out in a card with a pledge for the men and it read, “I hereby pledge never to commit, excuse or remain silence about violence against women and children”.
She further stressed that macho men do not hit woman and they treat women with respect. She hopes that men will wear this ribbon and take the pledge.
The movement was formed in Canada involving men wearing the white ribbon to signify opposition to violence against women after 14 women were killed by an anti-feminist in 1989. The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) appeared in 1991 and has now spread to over 57 countries around the world. It is now an international effort of men and boys working to end violence against women. Its basic principle is the importance of men and boys to speak out against all forms of violence against women.
Though White Ribbon Day is on 25th November, many countries support 16 days of action from 25th November till 10th December.
For more information on the White Ribbon Campaign, visit http://www.whiteribbon.ca/
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