Five Free Public Workshops Nationwide: Raising Respectful Men
Led by White Ribbon co-founder Michael Kaufman

AUCKLAND, HASTINGS, DUNEDIN, CHRISTCHURCH, WELLINGTON

“It’s easy to think about Harvey Weinstein, but look closer to home at what Wellington College students have said on Facebook, and don’t forget the shameful Roastbusters incident – we’ve got a problem with how men treat women”, says Rob McCann, White Ribbon Campaign Manager.

“While women from around the world have said ‘me too’, there’s every reason to think New Zealand men are also using their position to abuse women, at home, work and in schools”.

“It’s a problem with how males act, from boys to adults, with traditional males assuming they’re in charge and only expressing aggression,” explains Rob McCann.

“White Ribbon knows most men want more respectful relationships with women, and our annual campaign kicking off on the 8th November is all about what men, and fathers, can do being more respectful”.

A key feature of the campaign is a series of public workshops called ‘Raising Respectful Men’. “The workshops will increase understanding of the links between masculinity and violence, and how to develop respectful men, as well as build support for White Ribbon’s campaign”, says Rob McCann.

Five workshops around the country will be led by Michael Kaufman, a writer and speaker on promoting positive manhood. He has worked extensively with the United Nations and other international organisations promoting gender equity and preventing men’s violence. He was also a co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, that has been operating around the world for 26 years.

Raising Respectful Men Workshops:

Michael Kaufman (co-founder of White Ribbon, from Canada) will be holding five free workshops across New Zealand.
The film 'Raise Our Men' will be screened, followed by a workshop on 'Raising Respectful Men'.
To attend a free workshop, click here – this is an open invitation, please share with your networks freely.

The workshops are to:
Increase understanding of how New Zealand males are socialised and how this links with the high levels of family and sexual violence against women.
Increase understanding of what action can be taken to mitigate the negative effects of socialisation and reduce mens' violence.
Build community support for White Ribbon's 2017 campaign, including it's focus on male socialisation and to inform participants how they can use White Ribbon's campaign and resources in their work.
National Workshop Dates and Locations:

Auckland – Thursday 9 November, 1pm – 4pm.
Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn.

Hastings – Friday 10 November, 10am – 1pm.
Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North.

Dunedin – Wednesday 15 November, 10am – 1pm.
Burns Hall, 415 Lower Moray Place, Dunedin.

Christchurch – Thursday 16 November, 10am – 1pm.
Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre, Corner of Wakefield Avenue and Nayland Street, Sumner.

Wellington – Friday 17 November, 10am – 1pm.
Olive Tree, 478 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt.

For more info on the workshops see whiteribbon.org.nz.

“Michael has considerable expertise and we’re very pleased he’s coming to support White Ribbon New Zealand respectful relationships campaign,” says Rob McCann. “We have a very high rate of male domestic and sexual violence against kiwi women and developing more respectful men is crucial”.

The theme of this year’s White Ribbon campaign is “Raise Our Boys’ and focuses on what fathers can do to develop their sons’ respectful behaviour, include ing in sexual relationships. White Ribbon’s website (whiteribbon.org.nz) has toolboxes for fathers and men.

The campaign commences on 8th November with the premiere of a unique New Zealand film ‘Raise Our Men’, which features interviews with kiwi guys about their experiences of being raised a man, and how they’re respectful. “The film is insightful, moving and positive” says Rob McCann, “it supports men to be respectful. It’s valuable to changing the traditional male behaviour that drives violence against women”.

The film will be shown at the workshops and can be seen at screenings throughout NZ and on White Ribbon Day – November 25th will be made freely available onwhiteribbon.org.nz.

“White Ribbon’s tools can break the links between masculinity and violence against women” says Rob McCann, “and develop respectful relationships which are better for everyone”.

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