People here have been signing the White Ribbon Pledge to help reduce violence to women.

The Violence Free Network yesterday held a signing session ahead of White Ribbon Day (today), encouraging men to sign a pledge committing them to one of eight actions that will all help to reduce men’s violence towards women.

White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women.

In this country most violence by men against women takes place in the home – with an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners. Each year there are over 3,500 convictions recorded against men for assaults on women and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference at some point in their lives.

White Ribbon Day celebrates the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families and encourages men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour that are abusive.