ADVERTISING FEATURE
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The White Ribbon campaign isn't really for women.
It has always been a men’s movement to eliminate misogyny, achieve gender equality, and prevent all forms of gender-based violence.
The original idea was to engage men and boys, using peer pressure in a positive way to improve behaviour.
The movement was a response to a misogynist tragedy in Montreal in 1989, and it is an idea that has grown to international status.
ORIGINS AND VISION
Ahead of Australia’s White Ribbon Day on November 23 we asked the current executive director of White Ribbon in Canada, Humberto Carolo, to describe the movement's origins, growth and mission in his own words.
Why and when did White Ribbon come to be founded?
White Ribbon was created by three men in Toronto two years after the December 6, 1989 Montreal Massacre where 14 women were murdered at an engineering school.
The founders felt that men needed to take greater responsibility and play an increased role in ending violence against women.
They came up with the idea of a white ribbon as a man’s pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about all forms of violence against women.
Can you describe how, and why, you believe it grew into a global cause?
The founders of White Ribbon believed that anyone, anywhere could take action, just like they did, to inspire and engage men around them to speak out against violence against women.
They encouraged everyone to start a White Ribbon campaign in their community, school, workplace, or place of worship.
Thousands of ribbons were distributed in Canada that year and, soon after, thousands more were distributed in the USA and, further, across the globe.
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How many countries now mark White Ribbon Day (or Week)?
We have counted over 60 countries around the world where White Ribbon campaign activities have been organised. This is a tremendous feat given the grassroots nature of the White Ribbon movement.
Much more work remains to be done, however, to deepen men’s engagement in gender equality, in ending all forms of gender-based violence and in promoting healthy masculinities.
How closely do you work with the White Ribbon organisations in those other countries, including Australia?
Because of the decentralised nature of White Ribbon, our connections with other White Ribbons around the world have been informal.
Over time, we have established some formal projects and collaborations and have been actively involved in helping set up campaigns outside of Canada.
White Ribbon played an important role in the creation of the Global MenEngage Alliance, of which we are a member and co-chair.
This broad network represents over 600 organisations around the world working to engage men and boys in gender equality. Many of those organisations carry out White Ribbon activities in their respective countries and regions.
What are White Ribbon's ultimate goals? And how is your Canadian-based organisation working towards achieving them?
White Ribbon’s vision is; A Future Without Gender-based Violence.
White Ribbon has grown beyond the simple act of wearing a ribbon and starting conversations. We are now working together with educators, community and political leaders, women’s organisations, sports, media, corporations, governments, etcetera, to engage in meaningful conversations and actions to engage men as equitable and accountable allies in the promotion of gender equality everywhere; in personal relationships, in the home, community, workplace, and in our institutions.
We recognise that misogyny, violence against women, and gender inequality have roots in deeply entrenched patriarchal systems and social norms and therefore it’s up to all of us, including men and boys, and people of all genders, to work together to challenge and address those systems. We need to address the intersectional nature of women’s experiences with violence and therefore need to form stronger alliances with diverse social movements that address poverty, racism, homophobia, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.
Learn more: www.whiteribbon.ca
