Campaign gets mayoral pledge

Wairarapa mayors have signed their support for the White Ribbon campaign to end men's violence against women.

South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples, Carterton Mayor Ron Mark and Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell each signed the White Ribbon Pledge for the 2012 campaign at the Carterton District Council on Friday.

Mrs Staples said an achievable goal of the campaign was an increase of awareness of men's violence against women and Mr Daniell agreed, saying personal responsibility also was a realisable goal.

Mr Mark said people could take strength from the campaign and its message.

The White Ribbon Pledge is one of a number of initiatives organised by the Families Commission-led White Ribbon Campaign. The pledge brings together New Zealanders throughout the country in a united show of support to end violence against women.

As this support grows for a violence-free future, the White Ribbon Campaign aims to encourage men to take a stand and show they're man enough to end violence.

Rob McCann, White Ribbon Campaign manager, said organisers were heartened by the support from mayors across the country.

"It is this community support that ensures the success of campaigns such as White Ribbon," he said.

The 2012 White Ribbon Campaign was launched throughout New Zealand today, with mayors from around the country putting their signatures on a pledge to never commit or condone or remain silent about violence towards women. The signatures will be displayed on 25 November on the international White Ribbon Day.

The pledge reads: "On average, 14 women die and over 3500 men are convicted for assaults on women every year. Those women are our mothers, daughters, sisters, female workmates and colleagues.

"As a community, we must take responsibility to end this violence, and that is why we and many other Mayors throughout New Zealand are putting our names on the White Ribbon pledge."

To sign the pledge visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz.