Meg's update: March, 3. White Ribbon Campaign

An NGO Agency from Australia presented their side-event championing the success of the White Ribbon Campaign, men's endeavour to counteract violence against women. This is an initiative started by men themselves some decades ago in Canada, and now has branches over the world. Despite the efforts by men who have been a part of this campaign, violence against women is one of the most widespread and serious abuses of human rights in Australia today. The White Ribbon Campaign in Australia aims to eliminate violence against women by promoting cultural change. It calls upon all men to challenge comments, jokes, attitudes and behaviours that violate this goal. Studies indicate that 90% of men in Australia are uncomfortable when women are ridiculed, but most often remain silent. The campaign aims at getting men to take the pledge to protect women; a success witnessed during the past months has seen 700 men have committed to do this. To show this committment, each man will wear a white ribbon on his person. The NGO is sponsored in part by UNIFEM, conducts training programs for men, engages travel agencies in their campaign through a Code of Conduct sign-on, and in schools from kindergarden upward presents gender education. It was reported, despite successes, many challenges still remain in tackling this national problem.