White Ribbon Campaign
Violence against women is a shameful reality throughout the European Union and across the world. Mostly it is committed by men. It is rooted in gender inequalities, and it still far too often goes unnoticed and unchallenged. The White Ribbon Campaign exists to change this.
Men and boys wearing the White Ribbon declare that they will never commit, excuse, or remain silent about men's violence against women. White Ribbon is one of the world’s largest male-led campaigns to end men’s violence against women. It started in 1991 in Canada, and is now active in many countries across the globe. Every year it is growing stronger as more men and boys realise that women’s and girls’ safety is their issue too.

The struggle for the elimination of violence against women is a fight that each and every one of us must take part in. It is our duty to stand up for women by drawing awareness to this injustice.

Any violence committed towards a human being, in any form, is unacceptable. It is time for all of us to speak up, to defend, to change and to act against violence against women. Men are part of the solution. And this is not just a task for men in leading roles – though they have a particular responsibility – but all men, in all aspects of their lives, towards, around and for their female family members, friends, partners and colleagues. As a husband, a father, a politician, I am honoured to take up my role as an Ombudsman for the White Ribbon Campaign and contribute to end violence against women.

Trafficking in women and girls must be condemned and prevented, by bringing perpetrators to justice.

It is time to stand up. This is why I decided to join the White Ribbon campaign. We should never remain silent about men's violence against women. We can be part of the solution but we have to raise our voice together. I will be personally committed to support the campaign initiatives and everybody should! Any violence against any woman should never be tolerated.

We can never call ourselves a developed society whilst violence against women exists among us. Our values and beliefs are being compromised not only by committing violence but also by supporting it or doing nothing about it. The only thing necessary for damage to be done is silent consent from “good” men. Therefore, it is important for everyone to speak-up against gender based violence.

Violence against women and girls is a serious matter also from a public health perspective. It is a stain on Europe that women can still suffer violence in its diverse forms simply because of their gender. Male dominated cultures exist that tend to create environments in which violence is tolerated, condoned and enabled. Everyday sexism shall not be trivialised and Europe shall be an example. Support services for women and girls to come forward and rebuild their lives need proper funding and training, especially when women do not trust the very criminal justice system that should welcome and protect them. This statement applies unconditionally to all women living in Europe, including migrants.

Every day, women throughout the world and from all walks of life face humiliation, discrimination and violence. Victims of violence are forced to handle their plight while their abusers go free and witnesses look the other way. I do not. I am a proud ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign. Together, we must and we can stop violence against women.

Violence against women is the scourge of our global community. It is not limited to any one country or region, but affects the women close to us and in all walks of life: our mothers and our daughters, top managers and the migrants reaching Europe’s shores each day. We must not lose any more time, but join forces to eradicate this abuse for good.

“We must act urgently against gender-based violence and misogyny to ensure that women and girls can live free from violence in a society that treats them with full equality. It is thoroughly unacceptable that one in three women in the EU have experienced physical and/or sexual violence and more than one in two women have been sexually harassed, as FRA’s EU-wide survey shows.”

Violence against women is a pervasive human rights violation. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. I firmly believe today that the only way to stop violence against women is to speak out and I refuse to be silent.

Violence against women is a serious violation of human rights. It is a shameful reality across the globe. We must increase awareness of the causes and consequences of violence against women and reinforce our efforts to eradicate it, including by holding perpetrators accountable.

I deeply condemn any form of violence. The fact that many women are the victims of domestic violence on a daily basis is intolerable. This is something men must stand up against.

Violence against women is not acceptable and cruel. The European Parliament must be a shining example in combatting this crime by any political means.

Violence against women is a global problem. The European Parliament has consistently taken a strong stance on this serious issue, and has repeatedly called for action to prevent and combat it.

Eradicating violence against women is fighting for the future of humanity.

Violence against women is not only a ‘women’s issue’, and calling it such makes it possible for men to ignore it. It’s a men’s issue because it is up to the majority of men to help create a culture in which violence against women is unacceptable and every man takes responsibility for preventing it. White Ribbon Campaigns recognise the positive role that men can play in tackling violence against women. I want to participate in its prevention.
Read the statement in German
Gewalt gegen Frauen ist keine „Frauenangelegenheit“. Diese Bezeichnung macht es Männern allerdings möglich das Problem zu ignorieren. Es ist eine Angelegenheit der Männer, weil es auch ihre Verantwortung ist eine Gesellschaft zu schaffen, in der Gewalt gegen Frauen nicht akzeptiert wird. Jeder Mann trägt Mitverantwortung dafür, Gewalt gegen Frauen zu verhindern. Die Kampagne „Weiße Schleife“ unterstreicht die positive Rolle, die wir Männer im Kampf gegen Gewalt gegen Frauen einnehmen können.

Violence on women is something that concerns all of us. We have to fight it in every appearance - be it domestic violence, sexism or rape. Perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Our society lives in 21st century, but still do not fully accepts the equality of men and women. We again and again witness gender based violence instead of equal dialogue. Therefore I support this and all kind of anti-violence activities. Every man should care, because every man has mother, sister, wife, or daughter. We lost too much time - its urgent to end violence now and forever.

We must not tolerate violence against women. It is at odds with our values of equality and violates the human right to physical and mental integrity. The Gewalt gegen Frauen hotline is a nationwide hotline providing advice and support for women who are the victims of violence. Women of all nationalities can contact us anonymously and free of charge by calling 08000 116 016 or by accessing our support online.
Read the statement in German
Gewalt an Frauen dürfen wir nicht tolerieren. Es verstößt gegen unsere Werte der Gleichberechtigung und zerstört das Menschenrecht auf körperliche und geistige Unversehrtheit. Das Hilfetelefon "Gewalt gegen Frauen" ist ein deutschlandweites Beratungsangebot für Frauen, die Gewalt erlebt haben oder noch erleben. Unter der Nummer 08000 116 016 und via Online-Beratung unterstützen wir Betroffene aller Nationalitäten anonym und kostenfrei.

Every day, women of all age groups, social status’ and any nationality experience violence. According to recent studies, 40% of all German women have already experienced violence. The physical and mental damage, mostly caused by men, are immense. Violence does not solve problems, it only creates new ones. We have to socially outlaw violence and to underline that we do not tolerate it. That’s why I support the White Ribbon Campaign!

There are many ways, big and small, to work towards equality. My contribution is to join EIGE’s White Ribbon campaign for men who work to counter violence against women. I am committed to speaking about it in Finland and abroad, in schools and workplaces, during election campaigns, at international meetings, the United Nations, the European Union and beyond. I support the [Finnish] Martha Organisation in their work towards eradicating violence against women. On 24 November, I will wear a white ribbon as a sign of my participation in the campaign.

Those who fail to take firm action to counter violence against women, through their omission defy the very ideal of universal and fundamental rights equally vested in women and men. The articulation of the inadmissibility of violence against women derives directly from the protection of human rights. I am happy to join this campaign as an Ombudsman, as a man and a father, too.

Violence against women is the most obvious relic of historical gender inequalities which have led to manifest and structural discrimination against women. Gender equality policy must thus start with a determined and unconditional 'NO' to violence against women. Here and now.

Violence against women is a brutal violation of women's human rights, but it is not just a women's issue. It affects us all, locking both men and women into rigid and harmful gender roles and profoundly damaging our society as a whole. Though a few men may be part of the problem, we can stand up and be part of the solution. Enough is enough - let's uphold our European values and say no! Stop Violence against women!

“Violence against women is a horrible form of crime and not acceptable. Tackling this scourge must be the joint aim of our societies. In addition - as identified by EIGE - violence against women costs every year billions of Euros.”

Even today, violence against women remains underrated as a problem that concerns society as a whole. Under no circumstances may we accept this cruelty or marginalise the importance of standing against it – be it domestic, at work, online or in public. Therefore, I support the white ribbon campaign – and I welcome every man to join me.

Violence against women is a gruesomely violation of human rights. This includes all those female refugees, which we have to integrate into our societies. (Image: MAIS/Wilfried Meyer)

Many women suffer from violence at the hands of men – still today, time and again. This cannot be allowed to continue. It’s time to take a stand: Do not remain silent and look away, but raise your voice against violence towards women.

As a society we need to understand that domestic violence and violence against women is not a private matter. We all need to recognize it, talk about it and tackle it. The answer can be only one - violence against women is unacceptable. I will actively stand for the assurance of human dignity of women and invite men in Estonia to join the White Ribbon campaign to contribute to combating the violence against women.

Violence should not have any place in today’s society. Violence against women is especially difficult problem as often it does not reach to public eye and victims’ suffering may last for a long time. Drawing attention to violence against women is extremely important for me as it sends an important message for the development of the society.

As a White Ribbon Ambassador, and as a husband, grandfather, father, citizen and Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, I have joined the group of billions of people to actively promote gender equality as a fundamental human right. I cannot tolerate violence and its negative consequences for women, their families, the community and the world at large.

The notion that domestic violence is a marginal issue is still persistent in our society. However, the experience of police and victims support services, as well as the prevalence studies prove that domestic violence is a widespread problem that affects huge amount of women as well as men. Raise awareness campaigns and common discussions on various strategies to tackle this form of violence are crucial. For this reason, I join the White Ribbon Campaign, a global movement of men speaking up against violence against women.

Violence against women destroys lives and wrecks families. 1 in every 3 women has suffered some form of gender violence. As a father, a citizen and a politician I have an obligation to speak-up. I urge you to join me.

Women's rights are human rights. We cannot tolerate any violation of human rights and we have to fight against all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.

As a “White Ribbon” Ambassador, I will do my very best to contribute to stopping violence against girls and women and furthermore violence against all human beings. Violence is not a sign of strength but of weakness, it is not a solution, but makes the problems worse. Let’s not tolerate that human rights are violated. Let’s work together to stop violence.

No violence against women! In line with the slogan of the European year for development 2015: Our World, Our Dignity, our Future !

In the fight against domestic violence, our police forces rely on the collaboration of everyone.

Research is an important tool in the prevention of violence by men against women.
Supporters across the world
Actions
6 actions you can take
- Learn about the violence and threats women face from men.
- Challenge sexist language and jokes in your workplace, school and family.
- Examine how your own attitudes and behaviour might contribute to the problem.
- Be a role model for boys. Show that being a man does not mean controlling or dominating others.
- Tell your friends and family about the Campaign.
- Raise awareness on violence against women in your workplace or school.
Background information on violence against women
'Gender-based violence' and 'violence against women' are terms that are often used interchangeably as most gender-based violence is inflicted by men on women and girls. However, it is important to retain the 'gender-based' aspect of the concept as this highlights the fact that violence against women is an expression of power inequalities between women and men. The terms are used interchangeably throughout this website and EIGE's work, as it is always understood that gender-based violence means violence against women and vice versa.
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence gives definitions for the purpose of Convention in Article 3:
- “violence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender‐based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life;
- “domestic violence” shall mean all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit or between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim;
- “gender” shall mean the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for women and men;
- “gender‐based violence against women” shall mean violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately;
- “victim” shall mean any natural person who is subject to the conduct specified in points a and b;
- “women” includes girls under the age of 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)?
The White Ribbon Campaign is one of the largest efforts in the world to end men’s violence against women and girls. The Campaign aims to raise awareness about the scale and severity of the problem. The white ribbon is a symbol of men’s opposition to men’s violence against women.
The Campaign was formed by a group of men in Canada in 1991, and has spread to many countries around the world. Within the European Union, there are specific White Ribbon Campaigns in several countries – and activities inspired by White Ribbon in many others. -
What do national White Ribbon Campaigns do?
Each year, White Ribbon urges men and boys to wear a white ribbon, starting on November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women. The ribbon is worn as a personal pledge never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.White Ribbon Campaigns and their activities vary from country to country, but their main focus throughout the year is on: educational work in schools, workplaces and communities; support for local women's groups; and speaking out on issues of violence against women.
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What role does EIGE play the campaign?
We engage political leaders across the European Union to stand up and speak out against violence against women.
- We encourage all men to adhere to the principles of the campaign and act.
- We increase awareness of the role that men can and should play in addressing violence against women.
- We draw attention to EIGE’s research on gender equality and violence against women.
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How does White Ribbon engage with women's groups and other campaigns on violence against women?
White Ribbon Campaign is part of EIGE’s work on violence against women. EIGE works together with partners to raise awareness on this issue. The campaign complements other women-led initiatives and international campaigns, including the UN Women-led ‘HeforShe’ and ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
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Who should get involved?
The campaign is open for everyone who shares its principles. As men are part of the problem they are important part of the solution. We believe that all men have an important role to play in ending violence against women.
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What is the extent of violence against women in the EU?
In 2014, key findings from a large-scale survey of women in the EU by the Fundamental Rights Agency revealed that:
- 33% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15. That corresponds to 62 million women.
- 22% have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner.
- 5% of all women have been raped. Almost one in 10 women who have experienced sexual violence by a non-partner, indicate that more than one perpetrator was involved in the most serious incident.
- 43% have experienced some form of psychological violence by either a current or a previous partner, such as public humiliation; forbidding a woman to leave the house or locking her up; forcing her to watch pornography; and threats of violence.
- 33% have childhood experiences of physical or sexual violence at the hands of an adult. 12% had childhood experiences of sexual violence, of which half were from men they did not know
Notably, the majority of physical and sexual violence reported in the survey was carried out by male perpetrators. Among its conclusions, the FRA report states that: “In parallel with campaigns and responses directed at women, men need to be positively engaged in initiatives that confront men’s violence against women.”
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Is men's violence against women the only concern?
Although ending men’s violence against women is the main focus of the White Ribbon Campaign, all forms of violence are wrong.
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Are all men naturally violent?
Men are not ‘naturally’ violent – and the majority of men are not violent. Ideas of ‘natural masculinity’ are a way of excusing men’s violence, whereas in reality men who are violent are in part acting out what they have been conditioned to believe is ‘normal’ male behaviour. Within such a culture, many men have learned to express their anger or insecurity through violence. Many men have come to believe that violence against a woman, child or another man is acceptable.
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Why should men take action to tackle violence against women?
Violence against women is not only a ‘women’s issue’, and calling it such makes it possible for men to ignore it. Violence against women must be re-framed as an issue for men as it’s nearly always perpetrated by them. It is men’s wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends whose lives are limited by violence and abuse. And often it’s men’s male friends, relatives, and colleagues who condone violence or make jokes about it.
It’s also a men’s issue because it is up to the majority of men to help create a culture in which violence against women is unacceptable and every man takes responsibility for preventing it. White Ribbon Campaigns recognise the positive role that men can play in tackling violence against women and encourage male participation in its prevention.
Men are part of the problem and they should be part of the solution.