One of Fredericton’s busiest streets shut down temporarily Wednesday as the White Ribbon March to end violence against women brought hundreds out to show their support.
White Ribbon is a worldwide movement which looks to empower men and boys to end violence against women and girls as well as promote gender equity and healthy relationships.
READ MORE: 73% of Canadian women and children who seek emergency shelter are turned away: survey
“It’s just an opportunity for us to spread the message on men being more engaged in the issue of men’s violence against women,” says White Ribbon Fredericton co-chair Barry MacKnight.
“Any of these activities help us to raise awareness just a little bit higher.”
White Ribbon was started in 1991 after the deadly mass shooting at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique two years prior.
Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside, New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau and New Brunswick Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation Ed Doherty made speeches at the ceremony that followed the march.
READ MORE: Why Canada still has a long way to go in tackling domestic abuse
“After 25 years the parade gets a little bit bigger, but you know something — underneath the problem still exists,” Mayor Woodside said to the crowd.
“So more men have to stand up and be counted and end violence against women.”
Meranda McLaughlin, a local advocate, attended the march and says events like it are instrumental in addressing the issue.
“I think this is an amazing example of what we can all do as citizens to do our part to bring light to this problem and support a dialogue on the subject,” says McLaughlin, the social marketing coordinator for the Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign.
“Whether it’s violence against women, children or intimate partner violence more broadly, there’s something we can all do.”
Comments