15 November 2016 | Comments
The St Helena Safeguarding Directorate will launch the White Ribbon Campaign on Friday 25 November 2016. The campaign will run until Friday 2 December and during this time there will be two events as well as local newspaper articles and radio interviews.
The United Nations (UN) officially recognises White Ribbon Day on 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The White Ribbon is a symbol of hope for a world where women, men, girls and boys can live free from the fear of violence. Wearing the ribbon is about challenging the acceptability of violence against all adults as well as children.
The catchphrase for our campaign on St Helena is: ‘Together We Can End Domestic Violence’. Together we aim to Break the Silence, to encourage everyone on the Island to Speak Up Against Violence towards Women, Men and Children and to Stand Up for the right of everyone on St Helena to live safely and free of violence.
On Friday 25 November 2016 there will be two events – one involving all Island Schools and the other, a special White Ribbon Ceremony at the Mule Yard.
Safe Haven Manager, Nicolene Adams, explains:
“For the first event, we are hoping students and pupils in all Island schools will wear white and gather at a set time on their fields or playgrounds to recreate the shape of the white ribbon.
“It is known that domestic violence is a cross-cutting issue which is linked to a range of other issues such as bullying and emotional literacy. We are also aware that violence can affect children and young people’s cognitive and emotional skills.
“On behalf of the White Ribbon Committee, I wish to sincerely thank Education colleagues and children at each school for joining us in this very important awareness campaign.”
The White Ribbon Ceremony will be held at the Mule Yard at 2pm on the same day. Governor Lisa Phillips will be in attendance and along with the people of St Helena will commit to breaking the silence on domestic violence. On this day and around the world, St Helena will speak up against any form of violence in our homes, schools, workplaces, and in our leisure and social activities.
Nicolene added:
“Please join us for the main ceremony at the Mule Yard. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to wear a white ribbon in support of St Helena’s White Ribbon Campaign.
“Together we can end Domestic Violence.”
SHG
15 November 2016
Comments