Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The National Center Against Violence, the Monfemnet National Network, the Men's Healthy Family Center NGO, and People In Need are launching the White Ribbon Campaign. The initiative calls on all men to stand up, speak out, and stop the violence.

In Mongolia, domestic and sexual violence is a human rights issue of national concern. According to a UNFPA/NSO study in Mongolia, one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Last year, eight people were killed and 732 were injured in reported domestic violence cases, of which 89% were women and 7.7% were children. The same study also found that 1 in 10 women experienced child sexual abuse before the age of 15. With the COVID19 pandemic quarantine measures, children and women are at greater risk of violence when they are unable to leave their home.

What is the White Ribbon Campaign?

The White Ribbon Campaign is the world's largest campaign for men working to end violence against women and girls. The campaign is held annually on the 25th November. The movement is joined by more than 60 countries across the globe.

The purpose of the campaign in Mongolia in 2020:

Through masculinity, to foster humane culture for promoting gender equity and equality; to change negative gender norms based on patriarchy and to support boys and men to live as human beings and in freedom; to work with diverse groups in society to prevent gender-based violence, especially engaging boys and men, and contribute to building national capacity 

Campaign motto: #NoMore – “No more tolerance, No more violence and No more silence.”

How did the White Ribbon Campaign come about?

On December 6^th, 1989, a male student at Icole Polytechnique College in Montreal, Canada, killed 14 female students in his class on the grounds that a woman should not have a profession that a man should have. His actions shocked the nation. In 1991, a handful of Canadian men called on other men to take responsibility for ending violence against women. In just six weeks, 100,000 men joined Canada in wearing white ribbons.

What does it mean to wear a white ribbon?

A man wearing a white ribbon promises not to remain silent about violence against women and girls. He promises never to commit violence in any form.

How can you join the campaign?

·         Provide information on intolerance and prevention of violence, and publish it in media (including social media).

·         Talk to men and boys about how they can play a role in the lives of others to end violence against women

·         Encourage men to speak out against violence

·         Join the campaign and challenge others to join-in

·         To connect to our campaign on social media, visit the links below for more information and discussions online

o   White Ribbon Movement Mongolia

o   16 Days Campaign in Mongolia

o   Our Voices Campaign

For more information about this campaign and the work of partner NGOs, please reach out to Ms Munkhsaruul, Head of Programmes and Gender Advisor at People In Need: munkhsaruul.mijiddorj@peopleinneed.cz