16 Days of Action

Here are a few of the White Ribbon Campaign activities around the globe that have been sent to us.

White Ribbon Campaign at Alternative High School in Newport News, VA.
A group of students take the pledge.
Please watch the video and read the full story here:
http://www.wvec.com/news/local/Newport-News-students-recognize-violence-against-women-111401574.html

Pledge from Watson Lake, YT.
A group of men from Watson Lake in the Yukon record the pledge on video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BqC8LeVWI

White Ribbon Campaign in Burns Lake, BC.

In a small rural town in northwest BC, staff and students of Lakes District Secondary participated in the international White Ribbon Campaign. A series of posters were displayed around the school and the male members of the Student Voice group sold white ribbons each lunch hour during the campaign.In a small rural town in northwest BC, staff and students of Lakes District Secondary participated in the internation White Ribbon Campaign. Many people signed the pledge to never committ, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

'The Other Half’ launches White Ribbon Campaign on November 23^rd in Ireland.

An organisation in Ireland called the ‘Men’s Development Network' joined with The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland and SAFE Ireland to form an alliance called ‘The Other Half’. On November 23^rd they launched the White Ribbon Campaign  in Ireland.

To date, the campaign has been hugely successful with a large number of national launches taking place across the country and a vast amount of media coverage.

Please visit their website(s) at www.whiteribbon.ie and www.theotherhalf.ie





Brothers Against Violence - You Will Know (Poly Styles).


Polynesian brothers (young & old) share their version of "You Will Know" (by BMU written by D'Angelo) for the "Family Violence: Its Not Ok" campaign (www.areyouok.org.nz). Featuring some of NZ's top male vocalists. Launched as part of the build up towards White Ribbon Day, 25 November.

We love to hear about global White Ribbon Campaign activities.  Please do not hesitate to send any information about your campaign, or a campaign in your community to info(at)whiteribbon(dot)ca.

December 6th, 2010

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, PC, MP, Minister for Status of Women.
Greetings friends and supporters of the White Ribbon Campaign.

December 6th in Canada, is our National Day of Remembrance and Action on Ending Violence Against Women.

As usual it offers us one day out of the year to pause and reflect on the horrors of the Montreal Massacre; how far we have come (or not come as it may be); and how we must continue to be utterly dissatisfied with the status quo.

December 6th has always been a difficult day for me, filled with painful memories of that traumatic day 21 years ago, profound experiences through university as our country (and myself personally) struggled to come to grips with the issue of violence against women, incredible hopefulness at what has been accomplished, and seething frustration at how much still remains to be done.

To that end, in that mix of emotions, I want to share six simple words I would ask you to take forward for the other 364 days of the year.

Never forget.
Be hopeful.
Take action.

Never forget the lives lost on December 6th 1989; never forget the millions more affected and traumatized by violence against women around the world. Never forget, because if we do, history is destined to repeat itself, as we have learned from so many of this planet's other great struggles for justice against inhumanity.
Be hopeful, because while hope is not a strategy, hope is a belief system, hope is a catalyst, hope is a motivator. If there is no hope for a safer, less violent world then there is no point, and I have met and heard too many survivors and families to concede this.

Take action, because we can all do more, and we can all do something. Speak up, speak out, listen, learn, act. The kinds of changes we need to see take place on an individual level as much as societal levels. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The difference between what we are capable of doing, and what we actually do would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." And as we say around White Ribbon Campaign, we are capable of doing a lot more.

Until the violence stops,

Todd Minerson
Executive Director
White Ribbon Campaign

White Ribbon Campaign National Action Day

The White Ribbon Campaign is proud to support the efforts of the YWCA Canada and the Rose Campaign in bringing attention to the issues of violence against women, gender inequality, and women’s homelessness.

YWCA Canada, the country’s single largest provider of shelter services for women, launched its annual Rose Campaign to end violence against women and girls on November 25th, saying living on the streets puts women and children at great risk and calling for a National Housing Strategy that brings an end to women’s homelessness.

On December 3rd, we encourage men and boys to meet with or call their Member of Parliament at their constituency office to discuss the impact of violence against women and homelessness and urge action to establish a National Housing Strategy for women.

Be an inspiring ally to the women in your life and to the women’s organizations in your community. Join efforts with women and girls through the Rose

Campaign National Action Day in promoting gender equality and ending violence against women in Canada.

Visit www.whiteribbon.ca/nationalactionday to download an action kit and www.rosecampaign.ca for more information on YWCA’s Rose Campaign.

Please read the full newsletter here.

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.

WRC Cambodia in 2010

This is 11th year of the campaign which is jointly organized by GADC and CMN in Cambodia. The campaign is organized with good collaboration with Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Interior, local authorities, Gender and Development Network of NGOs, the community-based core group of the Women Empowerment through Legal Awareness (WELA) and Men Perspective Project (MPP) of GADC.

The theme of the campaign in this year is “Implementation of Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Protection of the Victims Is Our Duty”. The campaign has two main purposes: to promote public awareness and to urge the law enforcing agencies to enforce laws protecting women rights and any forms of violence against women. The organization of campaign is to respond to the national theme “Together for Eradication of Violence against Women and Children for Social Development”.

This year, the 16-day White Ribbon Campaign will be organized in the provinces and cities of Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Prey Veng and Phnom Penh.

For more information please visit their website.

It's Campaign Time

November 25th marks the UN Day for the Eradication of Violence Against women, and

the global launch of the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women. Here in Canada, it is the annual “campaign” period of the White Ribbon Campaign which culminates on December 6th, the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, and our National Day of Remembrance and Action on Ending Violence Against Women.

This year we hope to keep you informed of our White Ribbon Campaign activities, provide YOU with opportunities to take action, and highlight some of the important work happening around the country and around the world. We will be asking you to send an email to the Prime Minister, releasing a Lobby Kit in partnership with YWCA Canada, and much more. We are also encouraging people to use social media and our exciting new Micro-action tool which you can read about below.

If you have an activity or event happening this year – please let us know (info@whiteribbon.ca) and we will do our best to include it in our campaign communications. Your work can be the inspiration others might find in putting an end to violence against women.

Please stay tuned during the campaign to see how you can be part of the solution.

You can read the full newsletter here.

Until the violence stops,

Todd Minerson
Executive Director
White Ribbon Campaign

Speaking Out Fall 2010

We've just launched our latest Speaking Out newsletter for Fall 2010.

You can read it online here.

Highlights include a message from our Executive Director, a few micro-actions to help you get your own WRC started and a re-cap of some of our fund raising events and programs.

Subscribe to have our newsletter sent directly to your inbox.

Common Ground 2010 #ywca

This year's Common Ground Conference, in partnership with YWCA is almost upon us.

To register your school, please use this link to open the registration form in PDF format.

Details:
Thursday, Oct, 21
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
 CNIB Conference Cntr.
1949 Bayview Ave..

The Gentleman's Guide To Walking In High Heels #wamto

A PSA from the White Ribbon Campaign office:

Urging Vigilance in Saving Gun Registry

There are two days until Parliament decides whether or not to terminate Bill C-391. If the gun registry comes to an end, Canadians will no longer be expected to register the 7 million firearms that exist in Canada, thereby depriving Canadians of a vital public safety, public health and violence prevention tool. The White Ribbon Campaign is optimistic that private members Bill C-391 will be struck down, given recent news that some members of parliament have found sufficient votes to do so. Nonetheless, while there is confidence that the votes are there, this is no time for complacency.

The White Ribbon Campaign would like to formally release the following statement, encouraging all Canadians to support saving the Gun Registry:

We are extremely pleased to hear that some members of parliament have managed through constructive debate, reasonable discourse and evaluation of policy data to secure the votes to defeat the private members Bill C-391. We also support the efforts to bring forward amendments to improve and address the real concerns of Canadian citizens on improving the gun registry. We encourage all MPs to continue to look at the facts, to listen to their constituents, and to evaluate the gun registry based on good public policy, not partisan politics. We must also ensure that all members are present for this vote.

In our work with women's groups, survivors of violence, and police across the country, we consistently hear how this tool saves the lives of women and children. Having up-to-date and accurate knowledge of firearms in a home can enable life-saving decisions when it comes to interventions, restraining orders and custody arrangements. In addition, the gun registry can prevent guns from getting into the hands of potentially dangerous people.

Contrary to some of the public debate, the system is working and is effective. The RCMP evaluation, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and many others have made it abundantly clear that this tool is essential to their public safety work. The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians believes it is a vital public health tool. At a real cost of around $4 million per year, it is roughly the same expense as 2-3 major murder investigations, or $0.10 to $0.15 cents per Canadian. We cannot use the inefficiencies of almost a decade ago as an excuse to eliminate this vital tool.

The debate around the gun registry is not an issue of rural values versus urban values. It is about public policy that reflects Canadian values, which includes the desire to protect lives, to support our police, to prevent harm, and to cherish traditional ways of living. The White Ribbon Campaign believes if we can rise above the rhetoric for a moment and evaluate the gun registry on this basis, we can continue to work to improve this essential tool.

- Todd Minerson, Executive Director, White Ribbon Campaig

I Swear - 2010 My Oath Campaign

Amazing PSA from WRC Australia.



Please visit http://myoath.com.au/.

WAM-bush! #wam

The White Ribbon Walk A Mile Team has been cruising the streets of Toronto spreading the word about Walk A Mile Toronto 2010 by staging a series of wam-bushes. The team shows up unexpectedly to various locations throughout Toronto, promoting the event and trying to get some of Toronto's corporate leaders involved in the event and the White Ribbon cause.

Here are some photos of the guys in their finest shorts and heels:

So far the WRC WAM team have wam-bushed John Clinton of Transcontinental Media,
Bruce Powell of IQ Partners,Darren Pereira of Indusblue Inc., Adrian Capobianco of Quizative, Jen Evans, Sequentia Environics, and Co-chair of White Ribbon Campaign with more to come!

Please visit and join the official Walk A Mile Toronto Facebook Page for more photos and videos.

WRC Digital Storytelling Project Announcement

10 Men Creating 10 Video Stories To Create Change

We are looking for men in the GTA who play a role in the lives of boys or young men and are interested in promoting gender equality, respect and healthy relationships. You could be a father, guardian, teacher, grandfather, coach, youth group leader or have any other role of significance in the lives of young men.

Through digital storytelling workshops, these journeys will be recorded and made available as a source of inspiration and as a learning tool for other men. No film-making experience required.

To open and view the information package, which includes workshop schedules and background information about the project, please click here.

To fill out an application for one of the workshops, please click here to open, view and submit the registration form.

Please contact Tuval Dinner, White Ribbon Campaign Youth Programs Manager at 416-920-6684 or by email at tdiner(at)whiteribbon(dot)ca for any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

Happy Fathers' Day

As you all know Fathers' Day is this Sunday.

We'd like to take this opportunity to celebrate all the fathers that are positive role models in their children's lives, promote gender equity and sustain healthy relationships in their households.

White Ribbon Campaign has two great ways to honour your father this year: by supporting our work with a generous donation, and by helping to promote gender equity and healthy relationships through our itstartswithyou.ca program.

Father's Day is a perfect opportunity to express your feelings and appreciation to Dad for always being there for you; and for being a father who cared enough to provide for you, to care for you and for being a remarkable role model.

Say thanks to Dad by giving a gift in his honour to the White Ribbon Campaign. Honour him and his commitment to being a good father by helping the White Ribbon Campaign end violence toward women and girls.

A gift in his honour or memory will help educate young people especially young men and boys about gender equity, healthy relationships, and respect. Values your father instilled in you.  Please click here to donate.

Globalsister.org posted a great article on their blog that I feel mirrors our feelings on the matter of men's involvement in gender equity::

It is sometimes difficult, or at least less popular, to see that men are critical to achieving our goals. If, as we have so often stated, women account for half of the population and hold up half the sky, we must acknowledge, engage, and accept men as our partners: they are the other half of the population; they hold up the other half of the sky. The truth is that women—and men—are becoming more cognizant of the importance of educating men and boys about gender equality and the many issues that face women and girls in societies around the world.

Emphasis is mine.

So this Fathers' Day we'd also like to promote fathers' roles in their families' lives by asking you to take some time to visit our website itstartswithyou.ca, a great resource not only for fathers, but for coaches and community leaders, family members and educators.  You can find information on how to be actively involved, promoting gender equity and healthy relationships, not only in your family but in your community.

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there.

Woodbine Racetrack Community Day on Sunday, June 13. Supports WRC

Woodbine Racetrack will host its annual Community Day on Sunday, June 13.

The event, which begins at 11 a.m., celebrates Woodbine’s numerous valued industry and community partners, who will have interactive displays and interesting demonstrations for adults and children, to which everyone is welcome.

This year Community Day is held on Oaks Day, a day of racing dedicated to the female equines featuring the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Stakes presented by Budweiser.

Jane Holmes, Woodbine Entertainment Group’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, is thrilled with the event. “Oaks Day is all about the female and WEG wanted to use this day to raise awareness for women’s issues”, said Holmes. “This year community day shines its light on Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter and their 25 years of providing support and shelter for women and children escaping violence.”

Jockeys will wear special armbands in support of Ernestine’s and the White Ribbon Campaign, an organization that represents men working to end men’s violence against women.

Todd Minerson, Executive Director of White Ribbon Campaign explains “At White Ribbon we know that partnerships with both women’s organizations and the private sector are critical to support our work to end violence against women. This partnership with Woodbine Entertainment and Ernestine's Women’s Shelter raises awareness and together we can do more to educate young people, especially young men on the issue and challenge everyone to speak out and think about their own beliefs, language and actions. Together, our future has no violence against women. “

“Ernestine's is proud of the supportive relationship we have with WEG,” said Jane Rogers, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator with Ernestine’s. “It is with their help that we are able to reach out to the community and let them know how important it is to support women's shelters like Ernestine's."

Racing fans are asked to contribute baby items for Ernestine’s food bank.

"More than 30 women each week use our food bank so we are constantly in need of items, particularly baby food, and baby supplies,” said Rogers. “Please help us and bring a donation of diapers, baby food and formula to Woodbine's Community Day."

- 30 -

PixelProject - I've Voted... Have You?

White Ribbon Campaign partner, and all around amazing orgnication The Pixel Project, is a global volunteer-led nonprofit organisation working to end Violence Against Women worldwide.They have a unique and forward-thinking strategy when it comes to fund-raising: online micro-donations.

Their first fundraiser is to raise US$1 million in aid of the USA’s National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Malaysia’s Women’s Aid Organisation via an online fundraiser in which a 1-million pixel mystery collage of 4 to 6 globally known Celebrity Male Role Models will be unveiled online as donors “buy” each pixel for one US dollar..

Like WRC, The Pixel Project chooses to focus on positive male role models from different walks of life to demonstrate that men have a major role to play in breaking the cycle of violence against women. We want to show that men can lead by example and build successful lives without violence.

As part of their efforts to recruit Celebrity Male Role Models for the mystery collage, The Pixel Project is launching their first Voters’ Choice Celebrity Male Role Model campaign through which a worldwide audience votes for an actor to be included in our A-list line-up which includes a Nobel Prize Winner and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

The two nominees with the most votes will be invited to donate JUST 45 MINUTES of their time to have their picture taken for the collage and to join the global community in saying “It’s time to stop Violence Against Women. Together.”

The superstar nominee who accepts the invitation will be revealed through the Pixel Reveal fundraiser which will be launched in the second half of 2010.

Voting is open from 17 May 2010 – 17 June 2010 and you are invited to key in your vote and sign the online petition.

Play For A Cause 4 on 4 BBall Tourney

White Ribbon Campaign is proud to be a part of Play For A Cause (PAC)'s 4 on 4  Basket Ball Tournament.
Full details below.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

$90 per team before May 7th
$120 per team after May 7th - May 30th

Date: June 5th, 2010
Time: 9:30am- 8:30pm
Location: HoopDome (75 Carl Hall Rd, Toronto, ON – M3K 2B9)
Divisions: Mens Open, Rec > 6ft, Rec < 6ft, Masters (35+), Tots U10, Youth U19, Youth U17, Yough U15, Girls (under 19), Ladies (Women’s 19+)

For more information CLICK HERE

Click here to download the REGISTRATION FORM

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Play for a Cause (PAC) is a not-for-profit organization focused on enriching future generations by promoting physical activity in the context of helping others. When we joined the movement towards a healthier lifestyle, we knew that sports were a great way to enrich the lives of the people in our community.

PAC was founded on the premise that bringing people together to learn the importance of teamwork can have far-reaching benefits. The approach we take fosters sportsmanship and compassion
We provide our members with dynamic events that bring individuals of all ages and from all cultures and backgrounds together. PAC sporting events support communities in need, both in our backyard and beyond our borders. Our competitive environment allows athletes to come together to rally behind one of the many charities we invest in. We are about giving back. Don’t just play, Play for a Cause.

Dads Count, Families Matter 2010

dadstoday.org, an organization focusing on the importance of fathers as involved, role models in their children's lives, is hosting a day long event titled "Dads Count 2010" on Saturday, June 12th from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm.

 The event, featuring keynote speakers and workshops,  is billed as a place "where fathers of all ages get together to discuss, teach, and learn the latest techniques when it comes to connecting with your family..."

White Ribbon Campaign will be hosting an interactive workshop "It Starts With You It Stays With Him:" will explore the online resource of the same name.

Right now your son is looking up to you for direction and guidance. Whether you know it or not he is watching the way you act, the way you speak, the way you treat women and interact with other men.  His well-being and future success includes the ability to develop healthy relationships with women and, with other men.  As such, sharing your values regarding gender equality, respect, and tolerance is just as important as sharing with him the tools to achieve success in life and teaching him about safety, hard work, independence, and respect towards others..

 For event details, a full list of workshops and keynote speakers, as well as a registration to the event, please visit the event website.

 (click on image to enlarge)

WRC Releases Two RFPs

White Ribbon Canada is releasing two Requests For Proposals (RFP) today related to Phase II of the It Starts With You Campaign.

RFP1: Video Testimonials Consultant

(Page 1 - Download the full document here)

RFP2: E-Learning Consultant

(Page 1 - Download the full document here)

Please distribute among your colleagues.

How To Be A Good Man

A Discussion Amongst Men of Faith and Creed

Wednesday, March 10: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
ENG 103 in the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, 245 Church Street, Ryerson University, Toronto

As part of 'White Ribbon Pledge Week at Ryerson University from Monday March 8th - Friday March12th

A dynamic panel of speakers will be coming to Ryerson to reflect on male role models they had or did not have, how their teachings and path helped them define what being a man truly is, and share stories from their experiences.

Moderator - Tuval Dinner, Youth Programs Manager at the White Ribbon Campaign.

Keynote Speech by Imam Khalid Latif

Imam Khalid Latif is Chaplin for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Executive Director and Chaplain (Imam) for the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU). http://www.icnyu.org/

DJ Danforth

DJ is a proud 25 year-old Native young man from the Oneida Nation. He is currently the Youth Cultural Coordinator for the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, and sings with drum groups Elk Soldier and Tha Tribe. DJ has also written for masc!

Brandon Hay

Brandon is Executive Director of the Black Daddies Club.
BDC adresses issues facing the Black Community as a whole. The main goal is to change the image of the black father in the media, from a neglectful figure to a responsible, involved and loving role model. www.blackdaddiesclub.com/

From mascmag.com (via RyersonWRC)