Prime Minister supports White Ribbon Day

Unfortunately not OUR Prime Minister... *cough*

[New Zealand] Prime Minister John Key has agreed to be an ambassador for the 2010 White Ribbon campaign which culminates this week with White Ribbon Day on Thursday (November 25).

The Prime Minister signed the White Ribbon pledge which says he will never condone, or remain silent about, violence towards women.

White Ribbon is an international day when people, particularly men, wear a white ribbon to show they won’t tolerate, condone or remain silent about violence against women. In New Zealand the campaign is coordinated by the Families Commission working with the government and community organisations that make up the White Ribbon Committee.

“Family violence wrecks far too many lives in New Zealand,” says Mr Key. “This government is committed to working with the police, community and family organisations, and campaigns like ‘White Ribbon’ and ‘It’s Not OK, but it is OK to ask for help’ to encourage people to take action and help bring family violence down.”

Chief Families Commission Carl Davidson welcomes the Prime Minister’s support: “One of the key components of the White Ribbon campaign is for prominent men to take a leadership role. Our research shows that men listen to men, and this level of commitment from the very top will encourage other men to sign the pledge themselves, or take action to address their own violence or violence they witness in their own families, or in the families of friends and workmates.”

The White Ribbon pledge will appear in local newspapers and signatures are also being collected on pledge sheets throughout New Zealand. These will be collected and sewn together to form a giant white ribbon.