All of the funds raised through Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® Toronto go to support the necessary work of the White Ribbon Campaign. Last year the event raised $121,000 to assist the programs of the White Ribbon Campaign and its mission to create a future without violence against women. What is the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)? The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. Now in over sixty countries, volunteer campaigns are led by both men and women at a grassroots level. Across Canada our focus is on engaging youth on the issue of gender equality, respect and healthy relationships so as to build character and create good citizens. |
Accomplishments with limited resources
With a Staff of 5, a few volunteers, a donated office space and no core funding; WRC now supports activities in over 60 countries, works in communities in the GTA and across Canada, advises the United Nations and many governments and NGOs on how to work with men and boys to end gender based violence.
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What is the goal of WRC? How is this accomplished
The main goal of WRC is ending violence against women in all its forms. We accomplish this in five ways:
• Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is being sexually assaulted • Half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 • Physical and sexual abuse against women costs Canada $4.2 billion each year (factoring into account social services, shelters, criminal justice, productivity, and health care interventions). |
Awareness and Prevention the Long Term Solution
Violence against women is a real issue here in Canada - White Ribbon Campaign is doing something about it! White Ribbon Campaign is the only national organization working on the prevention of violence against women by positively engaging young men and boys, educators, parents and communities on the role and responsibility they can play. We have a specific focus on investing in youth and harnessing the positive roles that parents, coaches, educators and community leaders play in promoting gender equality, respect, and healthy relationships. Our grass roots approach inspires individuals and communities to action, while supporting them with the necessary outreach tools to provide a lasting long term solution. OUR PROGRAMS - Part of the Solution! It Starts with You It Stays with Him This United Nations recognized program is an online-based campaign developed by the White Ribbon Campaign and Le Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions to inspire men to promote healthy equal relationships with the boys in their lives. It is aimed at coaching boys (age 8 – 14) into manhood through an internet based, social media awareness campaigns and a comprehensive supporting website that encourages, empowers, inspires, and supports men in valuing women as equals, showing empathy, and teaching the skills and benefits of healthy and equal relationships to the young people in their lives. www.itstartswithyou.ca Education and Action Kit • A teacher resource on gender inequality, healthy relationships & ending violence against women • Reached over 3000 schools in Canada & United States • An Independent evaluation in 2004 showed "strong evidence that the Education and Action Kit effectively influences teenagers' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour regarding violence against women.“ • Available in 4 versions: High school, middle school and both in Canadian & US editions Campaign in a Box • Ready to use educational activities for teachers and community leaders • Social norms tools that address the gap in perceived and real group norms of how youth feel about violence against women, gender equality and healthy relationships Boys Conference • An annual conference in partnership with the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario • Takes place in the GTA, and 6 other communities in Ontario with hopes to expand across the country in the future. • Bring boys together to discuss issues of equality, respect, and healthy relationships. • Full day event approx 100 boys aged 10 – 14 from 10 different schools • 25 teachers were present and attended a workshop on the WRC and using our materials in the classroom. Public Awareness – Choices Campaign • Designed to confront men with use of language and the meaning of symbols about which their choices make a difference in ending violence against women • Designed to bring men closer to appreciating the conditions and fear of violence that women live under International Network – MenEngage • Working on the Steering Committee of an international network to address working with men and boys to end gender based violence • Founding members include: Engender Health (USA – South Africa), Instituto Promundo (Brazil), Save the Children (Sweden and Denmark), Sonke Gender Justice Project (South Africa), SAHAYOG (India), White Ribbon Campaign (Canada), Planned Parenthood International (London, UK) Making Positive Change Together We believe that by focusing our efforts on educating young men and boys we will make a positive change in their development to being men. Men that do not use violence toward women. Although specific projects may be supported by the government, we do not receive any core funding support from any level of government. We rely solely on individual and corporate fundraising, project specific government funding, and our own fundraising events like Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® |
By participating in Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® you are helping to fund these project and activities of the White Ribbon Campaign and together we are creating a future without violence against women.
THANK YOU!
