High noon march for White Ribbon Day

Today men from around the district will be donning heels and taking to the street to show their support for a campaign to stop violence against women.

To mark this year's annual White Ribbon Day, the Violence Free Network has organised the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march, where men will walk through Masterton in women's shoes.

The march begins at 12pm outside Countdown and finishes at the Town Hall.

Stopping Violence Services Wairarapa manager and White Ribbon Ambassador Jeremy Logan said anyone was welcome to join the march in support of the men brave enough to put themselves in women's shoes and registrations were not required on the day.

Spare heels will be on hand and special jandals will be available for those with larger feet.

Mr Logan said the march was an appropriate idea, as one of the exercises they often did with men was to ask them to stand on a set of "feet" and to talk through an incident from their partner's perspective.

"That's why the idea fits well for the White Ribbon Day because it's really a time for men to reflect and consider and talk about the massive issue that we are facing as a country," Mr Logan said.

It was not just about physical violence, Mr Logan said.

"In many respects men don't understand that constant name calling and put downs, the jokes, the attitudes ... and how big an impact that emotional abuse has on women's lives, let alone physical and sexual violence."

Mr Logan will be leading by example by wearing a pair of scarlet three-inch heels.

"I've been told that I should be practising but I haven't had time."

St John will be on hand to offer first aid for any scraped knees suffered by the marchers.

Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott and members of the police will be among those joining the march.

A cycle team from the police will be meeting the march after first biking from Masterton to Martinborough and back through all the towns.

The day's events will wrap up in Featherston with a picnic, which will include music, an art installation, and a barbecue with free sausages for kids starting at 4pm.