Australian Navy Supports White Ribbon Day
Defence personnel across Australia are supporting White Ribbon Day, the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women.
White Ribbon Ambassador and Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said this important campaign was focused on changing attitudes and behaviors that lead to and perpetuate men’s violence against women.
“On White Ribbon Day this Tuesday, 25 November, I encourage all Defence personnel to reflect on the message of White Ribbon and to recite the oath to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”
ACM Mark Binskin confirmed Defence had signed up to the White Ribbon Pilot Workplace Accreditation Program noting the aims of the campaign align with Defence’s own cultural change and reinforcement program, Pathway to Change.
“In 2014 the Navy and Royal Military College of Australia became accredited White Ribbon workplaces. The Army, Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian Civil Military Centre are undergoing accreditation now, with Air Force undertaking accreditation in 2015.
“Navy was the largest of the first 23 organizations in the world to be accredited as a White Ribbon Workplace - a significant achievement for Defence and a great demonstration by the Navy of their commitment to end violence towards women,” said ACM Binskin.
In the lead up to White Ribbon Day 2014, Defence has also held a wide range of events around Australia to highlight the cause. This included a bridge-to-bridge run in Canberra, a white paper boat race on Sydney Harbour, and cadets showing their support in a White Ribbon formation on the ADFA parade ground.
This weekend, ADF personnel will help staff numerous ‘Men in Uniform’ stalls alongside men from ACT Policing and Emergency Services, where visitors to the stalls can swear the oath and purchase merchandise to help raise funds for White Ribbon Australia.
On Tuesday, 25 November, at 7:30am, Air Force will conduct a flypast over Canberra in support of White Ribbon Day with two C-130J Hercules transport aircraft. One of the aircraft will feature a 4.6-metre tall White Ribbon on its tail during the flypast.
