The WI in Wales and a west Wales AM are issuing a Not in my Name challenge across the country by urging people to support a simple pledge: to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
Joyce Watson AM and The National Federation of Women’s Institutes - Wales set up the Not in My Name campaign to recruit male ambassadors in the build up to International White Ribbon Day, November 25.
Garnant councillor and the leader of Carmarthenshire county council Kevin Madge has already pledged his support to the campaign and signed up as a male ambassador.
People can get involved by signing White Ribbon posters, organising or attending events, and by sending messages of support.
This year’s campaign will focus on younger women and girls, and will work with schools and colleges to help create a culture where violent behaviour towards women and girls is unacceptable.
Mrs Watson said: “It is vital that boys and girls and young men and women learn to have healthy relationships early, and to support others where they see patterns of abuse developing.”
One in four women in Wales will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lives, and 150,000 women in Wales will suffer some form of gender-based violence.
Ann Jones, chair of NFWI-Wales said: ““It is unacceptable that violence against women persists in today’s society. WIs across Wales are once again using their strong community links to recruit male ambassadors and male groups to support White Ribbon Day and the Not in my Name campaign.”
Mrs Watson added: “It is vital that men speak out on this subject. By changing the culture, the behaviour of a minority will become increasingly unacceptable. Some years ago I set up a White Ribbon Ambassadors Campaign to get Welsh sportsmen and teams to wear white ribbons and speak out.
“I am delighted to work again with the WI, which has a proud tradition of tackling difficult subjects, to reach out across Welsh society, particularly to our younger people.”
Cllr Madge said: “Any form of violent behaviour towards women is not acceptable, and it is important that we all support the Not in my Name campaign which speaks out against it.”
Further details are available from joycewatson.org.uk and thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales
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