CHIMO Crisis Services is dedicated to bringing the White Ribbon Campaign to Richmond and the Lower Mainland through in-school initiatives, partnerships with local businesses and general awareness. In conjunction with the national WRC we hope to find a way to end violence against women.
What is the White Ribbon Campaign?
The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women (VAW). In over fifty-five countries, campaigns are led by both men and women, even though the focus is on educating men and boys. In some countries it is a general public education effort focused on ending violence against women.
How did the WRC get started?
In 1991, a handful of men in Canada decided they had a responsibility to urge men to speak out about violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of men’s opposition to violence against women. With only six weeks of preparation, 100,000 men across Canada wore a white ribbon, while many others were drawn into discussion and debate.
What does it mean to wear a white ribbon?
Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Wearing a white ribbon is a way of saying, “Our future has no violence against women.”
What is the main goal of WRC? How is it accomplished?
The main goal of WRC is ending violence against women in all its forms. We accomplish this in five ways:
- Challenging everyone to speak out, and think about their own beliefs, language and actions.
- Educating young people, especially young men and boys, on the issue through the educational resources we produce.
- Raising public awareness of this issue.
- Working in partnership with women’s organizations, the corporate sector, the media and other partners to create a future with no violence against women.
- Supporting White Ribbon Campaigns around with our experience, resources and networks.
When is the focus of the WRC?
WRC in Canada runs its campaign from from November 25 (the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women) until December 6, Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Other countries support 16 Days of Action from November 25th until December 10th but campaigns can occur at any time of the year.
[FAQs courtesy of www.whiteribbon.ca]
