White Ribbon Day is held on Saturday, November 25 – part of a nationally-observed event where men take a stand against violence directed at women.
Coalition Against Violence and Abuse (CAVA) with the Blue Mountains City Council, neighbourhood centres, schools, TAFE and the police have organised a range of activities across the Blue Mountains, culminating with a mayoral breakfast on Friday, November 24.
White Ribbon began in 1991 by a handful of Canadians after the death of 14 women at the hands of a local man in Montreal. The United Nations declared November 25 as White Ribbon Day in 1999.
White Ribbon in the Mountains was driven by the tireless work of Maurice Brady from Blue Mountains City Council, who sadly died last year. One of the local ambassadors, Michael Farrell-Whelan, has called on all men in the Mountains to reflect on their own behaviour toward women, and learn about why some men are violent towards women, how to identify and oppose sexual harassment and sexual violence.
“The starting point is for men to listen to women and their experiences to develop a real understanding of the problem,” said Mr Farrell-Whelan.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Mayor’s Breakfast for White Ribbon Day at 7am on November 24 at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. Blue Mountains Police will be creating a memorial tree in Springwood’s town square (next to Priceline) at 10.30 am on the same day.