Scotland: Amnesty and Men's Health Forum Scotland launch White Ribbon Scotland

MEN WANTED! - LAUNCH OF WHITE RIBBON SCOTLAND CAMPAIGN

Violence against women will not stop unless men are part of the campaign to stop it.

As Scotland marks the 16th year of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an innovative campaign is being launched to involve men in campaigning against violence against women.

Today (30 November) Amnesty International and Men's Health Forum Scotland are launching the White Ribbon Scotland Campaign at the Scottish Parliament with all of the male MSPs being asked to wear a white ribbon.

The White Ribbon Scotland Campaign is the newest in a long line of White Ribbon campaigns from around the world. Originating from Canada, the campaign encourages men to wear a white ribbon to demonstrate that they are not violent towards women and pledging to confront male behaviors that perpetuate this violence. Similar campaigns have sprung up in countries from Brazil to Namibia and now men in Scotland can make a stand.

The Scottish Executive supported the conference in Dundee and the campaign has already achieved Ministerial backing. Speaking earlier this month in the violence against women debate in the Parliament, Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Wearing a white ribbon is a symbol of men's opposition to men's violence against women. It signifies a commitment never to commit, condone or remain silent about such violence. I for one will be proud to wear one during the 16 days."

Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaigner, Naomi McAuliffe said:
"We have had a fantastic response from men wanting to get involved in campaigning against violence against women but not knowing how to go about it. We are giving men in Scotland the tools and hope that they will take this campaign and make it their own.

"Violence against women will only end if men join the fight to stop it."

The launch of this campaign was inspired by a conference held by Amnesty International and Men's Health Forum Scotland in Dundee. On the 30th March 2006, the Stop Violence Against Women: Involving Men conference brought together four international speakers from the White Ribbon Campaign (Canada), Men Can Stop Rape (USA), Masimanyane (South Africa) and the Acid Survivors Foundation (Bangladesh). Delegates included representatives from the police, NHS, prison service, churches, community groups, women's organisations and the Scottish Executive.

The White Ribbon Scotland Campaign has launched a website at: www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk