25 November is the United Nations end violence against women day 2015.
Violence against women isn’t going away. Reports of incidents of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse against women are more frequent than ever from ITF affiliates; experiences of women in their workplace but also in their homes and communities.
MUNZ Auckland Branch President Hector Thorpe wrote this article about his work on behalf of MUNZ to promote the White Ribbon Campaign that seeks to stop violence against women.
“Trade Unions are the voice for workers and their main principles include improving conditions for themselves and for society.
As a natural extension of this, MUNZ is fully supporting the White Ribbon Campaign that seeks to stop violence against women.
With the goal of eliminating men’s violence towards women, White Ribbon “aims to change men’s attitudes and behaviours, predominantly through men talking to men”. It asks individual men to “make it clear to other men that you do not tolerate violence towards women”.
White Ribbon is a deliberate attempt to undermine the social norms of men who support violence, and strengthen male norms that are non-violent.
White Ribbon is officially recognised as a symbol of hope for a world where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence.
The goal is to challenge the acceptability of violence by getting men involved, helping women to break the silence, and encouraging everyone to come together to build a better world for all.
Take the online Pledge “To never commit, condone, or remain silence about violence towards women and to challenge sexist, violent, emotional or verbal behaviour by speaking up about it.”
The White Ribbon Ride is New Zealand’s most exciting initiative to tackling this country’s crippling domestic violence record.
Violence destroys families, sets our children on a destructive journey and affects one in three women. This week-long motorcycle tour happens every November during – White Ribbon Month, so plan ahead for the next one as it’s a powerful and inspirational voyage for all involved.
A lead group of riders steer convoys through towns in the North and South Islands, picking up support riders in every region along the way.
In many regions local riders will lead the White Ribbon into their town and this year we are encouraging scooters and bikes under 250cc’s to join in when the event is within city and town limits.
Please contact the White Ribbon website if you would like to support the kaupapa by leading the riders in your local region. Events are organised in every town, ranging from school visits, marches and breakfasts, to fashion parades, quiz nights and Dads and Lads days. Every event is an opportunity to bring this issue into the open and get people talking.
Here are a few other things MUNZ members can do to support the campaign whether you are on a ship, on the wharf, or at home.
Take the online pledge
Visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz
Use Twibbon to change your Facebook and Twitter profile.
Change your Facebook cover photo using white ribbon images.
Post white ribbon graphics on your timeline and tag your friends”
