AWAM White Ribbon Campaign Run & Walk Review

The All Women's Action Society (AWAM) held its second White Ribbon Campaign Run and Walk at Padang Merbok today. With 2500 participants, half of whom were men, AWAM successfully brought the issue of violence against women to the community at large.

This year, AWAM kicked off the event with an interpretative dance led by dancer and choreographer, Nate Wong. The performance was a dedication to women who have suffered violence in their homes and set the theme of the event into motion perfectly.

The dance performance was followed by this year’s special addition to the White Ribbon Campaign – the Men In Heels: Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event. Walk A Mile in Her Shoes was an opportunity for men to place themselves in women’s shoes, to empathise with a woman’s journey, and to engage with the issues of violence against women and girls. Approximately 30 men took part in this symbolic 100 meter walk before the flag offs of the walk and run.

At Padang Merbok, men and boys from all walks of life made their pledges never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Along the route of the walk and run, were AWAM’s messages about the issue, including, “A real man never resorts to violence”, “Violence is never ever a choice a man should make” and “I believe that a healthy relationship should never involve fear”.

AWAM together with its supporters are determined to continue to champion for women’s rights and bring an end to violence against women and girls. Through the White Ribbon Campaign, AWAM hopes to bring about greater awareness that violence against women and girls is a serious problem and that we collectively as a society need to be part of the solution to end this scourge.

The White Ribbon Campaign is the world’s largest male-led movement to end violence against women. The movement was triggered by the tragic shooting and death of 14 female engineering students died incident in Montreal, Canada in 1989. The White Ribbon Campaign seeks to change attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate violence against women by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

The event was also graced by Malaysian National Laureate, Pak Samad, who recited a poem he wrote specifically for the event, entitled “Ribbon Putih”.

Check out The White Ribbon Campaign video 

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