Human Rights Commission Media Release 23 November 2007

A day for men to remember and reflect

In the lead up to White Ribbon Day on Sunday, Human Rights Commissioner Joy Liddicoat says it’s time for New Zealand men to reflect on the tragedy of domestic violence.

“White Ribbon Day provides an opportunity for men to stand up and speak out against violence. On average a woman is killed by her partner every two and a half weeks. It’s a shocking statistic that we cannot be complacent about,” Ms Liddicoat said.

“A culture of violence can exist where attitudes that seem to condone or endorse violence are not challenged –the Commission encourages men to speak out against those attitudes.”

White Ribbon Day on 25 November is the international day when men wear a white ribbon to show they don’t tolerate or condone men’s violence towards women. It is the largest effort by men across the world working in partnership with women to end violence against women and children.

The Commission is supporting a range of activities in the lead up to White Ribbon Day and during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence that follow. Events include an exhibition in Parliament Buildings of 19 quilts from the Human Rights Quilt Challenge which highlight issues of violence against women and children. The quilts make a powerful statement about the impact of family violence.

The quilts have been touring New Zealand during 2007 and this will be the last opportunity to see the exhibition before it is disbanded.

“One in three New Zealand women experience physical and/or sexual abuse at the hands of their partner throughout their lifetime. Although the ultimate goal is that no woman or child experience abuse or violence, as a first step the Commission hopes no woman suffers death through violence during the 16 days beginning with White Ribbon Day on November 25 and ending with Human Rights Day on December 10,” said Ms Liddicoat.

For more information about White Ribbon Day go to the Commission’s website

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