White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the internationally recognised day when men wear a white ribbon to show they do not condone violence towards women. The global White Ribbon campaign is led by men who condemn violence against women and want to take action. The campaign was started in Canada by a group of men, after the brutal mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal in 1989.

The day has also been officially adopted by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is marked from 25 November to 10 December.

The New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign takes place during the whole month of November. It is driven by the White Ribbon Campaign team and a range of community groups, NGOs and businesses across the country.

Get involved

The New Zealand White Ribbon Ride will be held 15-26 November 2013, beginning in Rotorua and Blenheim. A lead group of motorcycle riders steer three convoys through towns in the North and South Island, picking up support riders in regions along the way. Events are organised in towns, presenting the opportunity to talk about violence. You can email your Ride event to White Ribbon and request a Regional Poster. Visit the website for more information and the route schedule.

People are also encouraged to publicise their own events by registering on the White Ribbon website and email event photographs to White Ribbon. For more information, see the October White Ribbon Newsletter.

The United Nations Secretary General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women invite you to join in Orange the World during the 16 Days of Activism. Ths involves reaching out to friends and partner organisations to organise orange events. Tweet your photos, messages and videos to @SayNO_UNiTE and they will be showcased on an 'Orange Map' on the UNiTE website to show how quickly people are 'oranging' the world. An Orange the World Invitation to participate is available on the website.

The Center for Women's Global Leadership has announced the theme of the 16 Days of Activism for 2013 as 'From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!' They offer a Take Action Kit, listing of events and other information.

Educational resources for events

The New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign provides Campaign Messages to inform White Ribbon speakers, The Pledge promotion material, ideas and help for organising your event, resources to raise awareness at the White Ribbon shop and White Ribbon Ambassadors to attend your event.

White Ribbon Australia provides a range of downloadable fact sheets.

Women's Refuge provide free downloadable resources on their website including a Quick Quiz "Are you being abused?" as well as Safety Plans, practical guides, kits and pamphlets for women experiencing abuse and support people.

It's Not OK provide free downloadable resources on their website including a "How Can You Help" and "It is OK to ask for Help" booklets.

The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse provides an Overview of Family Violence Factsheet and a Family Violence and Gender Fact Sheet, downloadable from the website.