Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Wairarapa Midweek
WHITEINRIBBON DAY NEW ZEALAND
WHITE
RIBBON
DAY
25
W E D N E S D AY
NOVEMBER
2022
29
Observed in New Zealand since 2004, White Ribbon Day originated in Canada in 1991. It was soon adopted by the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, it is observed on 25 November. White Ribbon Day celebrates the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families and encourages men to challenge each other on abusive attitudes and behaviours. A 2005 survey in the Wairarapa found that children are present during family violence incidents more than half of the time. Those children are more likely to continue the cycle of violence against women as they grow up.
In previous years in New Zealand, the White Ribbon Trust ran campaigns and events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Men in Black, White Ribbon Rides and White Ribbon Walks. This year’s White Ribbon
campaign challenges men to raise a new generation of boys to treat women as equals and with respect. Men are encouraged to ‘flip the script’. We want to replace the message ‘boys will be boys’ with the message ‘boys will be caring, supportive, respectful, friendly, generous, and awesome’. We want to change outdated ideas about masculinity. Boys will be the men we teach them to be. Acting Wairarapa Area Commander, Inspector Darrin Thomson, says “Police support White Ribbon Day and the message that violence towards women is never acceptable. Family harm remains a big focus for Police.”
Stand up Wairarapa
White Ribbon Day is being observed differently this year. Rather than concentrating on an event, the focus is on challenging men to take a pledge to Stand Up, Speak Out and Act. Now is the time for men to re-think their relationships with women. How do you want to behave with women? How to do you want your boys to treat girls and women? The hardest thing is to accept “Our people are constantly ownership of your issues. Start by working to keep our communities taking the pledge. safe,” says Inspector Thomson. To learn more, visit the white ribbon “We encourage leadership website and click on the icon ‘Take to inspire and ensure healthy the Pledge’. It’s all about modifying relationships within families are our behaviours and our attitudes. promoted.”
For the Police, the term family harm includes a wide range of incidents and forms of coercion and control, including violence, criminal offences, and nonoffence matters.
BOYS BECOME THE MEN WE TEACH THEM TO BE
whiteribbon.org.nz
ADAMSONS SERVICE STATION SINCE 1927
After Hours Self Service Petrol & Diesel Available LPG BOTTLES TRAILER HIRE
PROUD TO SUPPORT WHITE RIBBON 32 Fitzherbert St, Featherston
Open - Monday to Friday 6am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday, Public Holidays 7am to 7pm
PHONE: 06 308 9760
Proud to be White Ribbon Accredited so we can support our friends, whānau and tamariki to practice healthy relationships
REST HOME & DEMENTIA CARE
06 378 7059 lyndalecare.co.nz 52/95 Cole Street, Masterton
Proud to support White Ribbon Day