21/11/23 

The annual White Ribbon Day takes place across the world this weekend, providing an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of overcoming men's violence against women and girls.

Taking place on November 25 every year, the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, more commonly known as White Ribbon Day signals the beginning of a series of events leading up to December 8, Human Rights Day.

White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages people, and especially men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence. To wear a white ribbon is to promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

Cardiff Council is an accredited White Ribbon organisation, having achieved its third period of accreditation from White Ribbon UK last year.

The theme of this year's campaign is Change the Story, acknowledging that culture change doesn't happen overnight, but men's violence against women and girls can be ended within our lifetimes.

Public events to mark the awareness campaign in Cardiff begin on Monday November 20 with the Not in My Name Candlelight Vigil at the Senedd at 6pm, an opportunity for people to come together to show solidarity with victims and survivors of violence against women across the world.

On Friday November 24, all are welcome to join a march from Cathedral Road to Llandaff Cathedral at 9am and the annual multi-faith Light a Candle service at 11am while a White Ribbon Service will take place at St Andrews Methodist Church, Birchgrove at 10.30 am on Sunday, November 26.

The Council's White Ribbon Ambassador and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Modernisation, Cllr Chris Weaver said: "Violence experienced by women and girls takes many forms. As a White Ribbon City, Cardiff is committed to doing all we can to end men's violence against women and significant progress has been made in tackling the issue over the past five years.

"It's essential to remember that violence against women and girls is not a women's issue. It's an issue for us all, but particularly men and boys need to be at the heart of the solution.

"This year, the Change the Story theme of the campaign calls on all men and boys to take an active role in stopping violence before it starts by recognising and calling out harmful attitudes and behaviours that could lead to more extreme cases of abuse or violence."

Once again, the flowerbed outside Cardiff Castle will be planted with white flowers in the shape of the White Ribbon emblem. The image will also be projected on the iconic Castle Keep.