Welsh Government Marks White Ribbon Day

The Welsh Government will emphasise its commitment to tackling violence against women at several events to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women today.
Communities and Children Secretary Carl Sargeant will light a candle of remembrance and speak at a multi-faith service in Llandaff Cathedral in support of those victims of domestic abuse who may be suffering in silence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The service is organised by BAWSO in partnership with Welsh Women’s Aid, New Pathways, Safer Wales, Llamau, Wales Centre for International Affairs and Unite. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Later in the day, a joint initiative between the Welsh Government and Cadw will see images of the White Ribbon projected onto The Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay and Caerphilly, Caernarfon and Conwy Castles in order to raise awareness of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government’s “Making a Stand” campaign is also running to coincide with White Ribbon Day. The campaign asks people to make a stand against domestic abuse, violence against women, and sexual violence by posting photographs of themselves on social media linking arms using the hashtag #makingastandwales to demonstrate their support. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Cabinet Secretary said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Today, we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and White Ribbon Day. In 2014 Welsh Government became a White Ribbon organisation and I am proud to have been an ambassador for many years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have been on a long journey to get to where we are today in terms of tackling the issue but we cannot underestimate the sheer scale of the task still facing us. On average two women die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner every week across the UK. This has a huge impact – on family, on friends and, in particular, on children. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We must continue not to condone or remain silent about violence against women. In support of this, our ‘making a stand’ campaign has been re-launched and I would urge you all to engage as many people as possible to participate in and promote the campaign.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​