Take Action
Take Action § Human Rights
The White Ribbon symbolizes a man's pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign is the world's largest effort by men to end men's violence against women.
Started by a handful of men in Canada in 1991 on the second anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, there are now White Ribbon Campaigns in over 50 countries around the world. What began as an annual awareness week is now a year-round effort focusing on education and awareness, and challenging men around their role in ending violence against women.
White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone men's violence towards women.
The Event that Started it all:
For 45 minutes on Dec. 6, 1989 an enraged gunman roamed the corridors of Montreal's École Polytechnique and killed 14 women. Marc Lepine, 25, separated the men from the women and before opening fire on the classroom of female engineering students he screamed, "I hate feminists." Almost immediately, the Montreal Massacre became a galvanizing moment in which mourning turned into outrage about all violence against women.
White Ribbon Day in the US and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
The campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, originated in 1991 at the Center for Women's Global Leadership, based at Rutgers University in the American state of New Jersey. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December. During this period, activities highlighting the problem of violence against women are organised daily. The 16 Days campaign has been a tool to raise awareness that violence against women is both a violation of human rights and a major health concern. >> for more information
White Ribbon Campaigns in the United States:
Dads and Daughters
Emerge: Counselling and Education to Stop Domestic Violence
Mainely Men Against Violence and Sexism
Men Can Stop Rape
Men Stopping Rape, Inc.
Men Stopping Violence
Minnesota Centre Against Violence and Abuse
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS)
National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Centre
- wear a white ribbon to show your support
- challenge attitudes and behaviour which condone/tolerate violence
- encourage others in your organization/family/community/street/workplace to wear a white ribbon
- organise a local event to speak out against men's violence to women
- spread the word about the White Ribbon campaign and its aims
- support men who are caring and respectful towards women.
