Violence against women can take many forms. From physical violence to psychological, financial and sexual abuse, each creates unnecessary suffering and can lead to a range of health problems and an unwillingness to participate in public life. Violence against women harms individuals, families and communities, and yet 70 per cent of women will experience violence in their lifetime.
November 25 marks White Ribbon Day, the UN's International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and, this year, people everywhere are being asked to make this oath: I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
"On White Ribbon Day, we call on all men to swear the oath," says White Ribbon Chairman Andrew O'Keefe. "Let's face it; swearing comes naturally to most Aussie men. We swear when we're laughing, we swear when we're mad, we swear whether we're elated or deflated. But this is an opportunity to swear to make a difference."
Kevin Maher, a White Ribbon Ambassador and President of the Macquarie Scorpions Rugby League Club is also urging men to stand up for mums, daughters, sisters and friends.
"Growing up in the 1950s and the 1960s I witnessed my mother being brutally beaten and verbally abused and belittled regularly by my father," Maher says. "For over 30 years Mum put up with this abuse and her health deteriorated over that time, so much so that she died in 1983 at the very young age of 49. My father was responsible for her death, I don’t doubt it.
"I will never get over the fact that during the many occasions Mum was being attacked by my father no one stepped in to help her. Neighbours saw and heard what was happening and did nothing to help her. I remember my brother, my sister or I running next door or across the road for help but there was none. People in the street would not stop and help when she was being abused or hit in public. Family friends would do nothing when they were around and saw the violence."
Maher believes there are two steps men can take to help end violence against women.
Firstly, he believes in the importance of becoming a role model, setting a good example to the men and boys around them. Secondly, Maher believes men need to take action - stepping in to help when a problem is identified.
In his annual message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has drawn attention to the right of women and girls to live free from violence, a right that underpins his UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.
"Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe. It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts. It is predominantly inflicted by men. Whether in developing or developed countries, the pervasiveness of this violence should shock us all. Violence – and in many cases the mere threat of it – is one of the most significant barriers to women’s full equality," Ki-moon says.
"On this International Day, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic of violence. Only then will we have a more just, peaceful and equitable world."
Launched in 2008, the UNiTE campaign aims to raise public awareness and increase political will and resources for preventing and responding to all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world.
UNiTE also works to engage men as part of the solution to end gender-based violence. Since its launch in 2009, members of the Secretary-General’s Network of Men Leaders have undertaken actions to end violence against women and girls, from raising public awareness to meeting with young men and boys.
To find out more about White Ribbon Day and how you can get involved, visit whiteribbon.org
