What Works for Women?
http://www.whatworksforwomen.org.uk

On this website you will find examples of ongoing initiatives in the UK that have been successful at increasing physical activity among women and girls by addressing the barriers that can prevent them from taking part.

'Our aim with this website is to help good practice to become common practice.'

Includes:
* Barriers - initiatives that overcome particular barriers that women face, for example, lack of childcare or time
* Target audience - for example young women or mothers and children
* Activity type - for example dancing or football
* Theme - for example participation or coaching
* Service provider - for example local authority or business

Please note: this website is in the developmental stages and therefore we do not have examples of good practice for all activity types or service providers. With your help, we hope to build these up over time.

We welcome your feedback and comments about the site. Please email Christine Lillistone at c.lillistone@wsf.org.uk.


About us

The Women's Sports Foundation is the UK's leading organisation dedicated to improving and promoting opportunities for women and girls in sport and physical activity. Go to our website www.wsf.org.uk to find out more about the work we do.

We have set up this website to share the many examples of best practice that we have heard about which have given women and girls the opportunity to participate in physical activity. For many of us who love physical activity and take part in it regularly, it may not always be easy to understand the barriers to activity that some women face and, in the case of sports deliverers and teachers, how to help them overcome these barriers. This website should hopefully provide you, the sports deliverers with examples that both guide and inspire.

http://www.wsf.org.uk
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Scottish Women Against Pornography are holding their 5th Anniversary Celebrations on
Wednesday, 30th November, 2005 from 5-00pm to 6-30pm

This year they are being held at Room Q1.03, The Scottish Parliament
Refreshments provided

RSVP as soon as possible (parliamentary staff will need the names of guests attending for security reasons).

Please contact SWAP at ffswap18@yahoo.co.uk or mobile number 07762 298828 or SWAP, C/O P.O. Box 28073, Edinburgh, EH17 8YT

SWAP will also be launching their new Information Leaflet at this venue and would very much like interested individuals to email at the above address with a brief message of support.
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Trapped between Law and Life

Report On Abused Minority Women In The Nordic Countries
The Danish Research Centre On Gender Equality Roskilde University

INTRODUCTION

"Trapped between law and life" highlights the dilemma between formal legal rights of residence permits and the actual situations minority women in violent marriages live with in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The report focuses on the problems these women face when they choose to leave their abusive husbands, problems arising because their residence permits are based on marriage.

Relating the narratives of various foreign abused women from the three countries, this report shows how the problems of (lacking) residence permits affect the women's daily lives and explains why the women want to attain residence permits in the Nordic countries. The report also reveals how the women's advocates, such as attorneys and shelters, handle the problems of lacking residence permits and describes their efforts to offer these women the optimum help.

All three countries have acts on residence permits stipulating the length of stay the country requires for a permanent residence permit to be granted. But all three countries also have exception sections aimed at abused minority women. When someone has been exposed to abuse, the legislation allows family-reunited women to stay in the country, even though they may not have stayed in the country for the required number of years and are no longer living with their spouses. But practice shows that requirements of documentation of the violence make it hard for the women to assert the rights that the exception sections confer on them, namely to attain residence permits based on the violence perpetrated on them. At the same time, exception sections are weighed against other legislation on the issue - especially how attached the women are to the Nordic countries compared to their countries of origin. Thus, the women are by no means guaranteed to attain residence permits in the three countries even though all three countries seem to have adopted legislation formally ensuring this right.

The problem became an issue of growing interest in 2002 when Denmark raised the number of years a person had to stay in Denmark to attain a residence permit. In Denmark this requirement is now 7 years as against the previous 3 years. In Norway, it is 3 years, and in Sweden 2. The report centres on how restrictive immigration legislation affects minority women's gender equality.

INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION OF VIOLENCE

Violence can be categorised in many ways. As the problems of minority women in themselves involve international relations - migration - it seems natural to apply international definitions. In 1993, the UN adopted a declaration on elimination of violence against women. Since then, the paragraphs on violence have been incorporated in the Beijing Platform for Action1, which the nation states are committed to implement. The UN puts violence in the perspective of rights and relates it to the unequal power relations between men and women.

"...Violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and impairs or nullifies their enjoyment of those rights and freedoms.... Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to the domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men".

This wording establishes the gender perspective with focus on the asymmetrical relationships between women and men. The declaration also focuses on minority women and emphasises that refugee and migrant women belong to groups especially prone to be exposed to violence. As a result, steps should be taken to ensure that these women achieve protection and gain access to relevant offers of help to the same extent as majority women.

The declaration gives nation states specific obligations, as they are to ensure:

..."Access to the mechanisms of justice and, as provided for by national legislation, to just and effective remedies for the harm that they have suffered; States should also inform women of their rights in seeking redress through such mechanisms...[States should also ensure that] Re-victimization of women does not occur because of laws insensitive to gender considerations, enforcement practices or other interventions".

Thus, nation states are instructed to ensure that the women's special situations by de jure and de facto are considered, since women should be guaranteed both formal and actual access to asserting their rights, so that they are not revictimised. These obligations are essential to minority women for several reasons:
o In many cases, minority women do not speak the Nordic languages - especially if they have only been in the country for a short time and/or have not attended language training course because, for example, their husbands have not allowed them. This could be one of the reasons why not all minority women know their rights. This in turn may make them dependant on their husbands.
o In many instances, minority women have no trust in authorities and police because of bad experiences from their countries of origin. This makes it necessary for the state to act proactively.
o Often, minority women's stay is based on marriage to a husband with Nordic citizenship, so the marriage forms the basis for their residence permits. This fact also creates dependency on the husband, which may deter many minority women from seeking legal assistance.

Thus, focus rests both on men's violence against minority women in their homes and on the violence potentially perpetrated by state authorities. This report discusses the extent to which we in Denmark, Norway and Sweden observe the wording of the declaration on violence, wording aimed at making women secure in terms of both legislation and actual fact.

CATEGORIES OF VIOLENCE IN A COUPLES RELATIONSHIP

The declaration defines violence in relation to various types of violence - physical, sexual and psychological - corresponding to Per Isdal's classification, which derives from a Norwegian context2. For minority women threatened with expulsing, it is important that the definition covers aspects other than physical violence, which is easier to ascertain, because legislation requires women to document the violence if they are to attain residence permits once the marriage terminates. Another aspect in this context is that violence is often perpetrated for a long time and escalates. In this report, we use Mr Isdal's categories to operationalise the violence.

This 73-page in pdf is available upon request to WUNRN at mosie@infionline.net
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Information About The Women's Assembly - ESF 2006

To our friends in feminist movements, trade unions and European social movements

We are writing to keep you up to date on the preparation of the Women's Day of the fourth ESF which will be held in Athens in April 2006 and to share with you some reflections and ideas.

First of all, the preparation process of the fourth ESF is far from satisfactory. No decision has as yet been taken on the site of the ESF. This failure is blocking the whole organization process (we can't print posters, etc) and does not allow us to work in any practical sense on the set up of the Women's Day. Moreover, it would be better to postpone the date may for a few weeks to avoid coincidence with the Italian elections (9 April).

In spite of these shortcomings, a broad Greek working group has been set up to prepare for the Women's Day. It appeals to associations, trade unionist and individuals who fight for women's rights and agree with the organization of a Women's Day. Groups that are not in agreement with this initiative are free to develop other schemes. In short, this is a broad and inclusive process.

The Greek working group for the preparation of the "Women's Assembly" will submit its reflections at the women's workshop which will be held during the Preparatory Meeting of the ESF in Vienna, on 7 and 8 January 2006. There we will take our final decisions together with our European friends.

At which moment of the Forum will the Women's Day be held?

The Greek working group for the preparation of the "Women's Day" suggests not to start the ESF on Thursday with the Women's Day, but prefers Friday 7 April. The arguments in favour of this proposal are a) that it would be difficult for the women coming from other countries or cities to travel alone in advance, leaving their delegations (national or other) behind and b) that many working women would not be able to attend during working hours.

Therefore we are thinking to hold the Women's Day on the Friday. Of course, this is not an ideal solution. We will ask the programming committee of the ESF to take account of the fact that during the "Women's Assembly" women delegates will not be able to attend other Forum activities and not to organize parallel activities that might interest us.

Which structure?

The Women's Day could be organized in two sessions. A first part with workshops and a second one with a Women's Assembly and a public rally on the site of the Forum. The workshops would be held between 1 and 5 p.m. and the Women's Assembly between 5 and 8 p.m. (schedule to be decided).

In addition, we would like to organize different cultural events in a special women's space during the whole Forum. But much will depend on the actual site where the Forum will be held.

What is the aim of the Women's Day?

To synthesize our feminist work and through the preparatory work to learn to work in common at a European level, so that we can put into practice our proposals for European mobilizations.

How to organize our work?

As we all know, the Women's meeting at the Preparatory Meeting of the ESF in Istanbul has decided on the following topics and general orientations:
* Work, Precariousness and Poverty,
* Women and Wars,
* Women as Victims of Violence,
* Right to Abortion,
* Sexual and Reproductive Rights,
* Women - Democracy and Power,
* Resistance of Migrant Women,
* Young and Lesbian Women.

We have taken up these same topics to assess the work done by women during the last four years (either in autonomous groups or within mixed Forums). We also aim at setting up European working groups on each topic so that we can organize mobilizations on each of them. Obviously, we want the broadest possible participation from associations and networks fighting for women's rights.

Please sign up and let us know if you want to take part by sending an email to the discussion list: Assemb.women@athens.fse-esf.org

How are we going to define the spirit of the workshops?

The "philosophy" of the workshops would be to start from european demands and proposals for european mobilizations.

An example: the workshop on violence could be organized around
A. the concrete demand for a european frame-work law against violence (ask the participation of specialists), as well as the elaboration of practical details of a european campaign against violence. And
B. a campaign against sexual exploitation and trafficking of women.

I would like to bring to your attention that workshops on prostitution and trafficking have been organized during the ESF's of Florence, Paris and London. They described the phenomenon, but they were not action-directed and had no follow-up.

One objective could be to set up an european campaign according to the model of our Spanish friends: among others their anti-trafficking campaign included posters addressed to a male audience, potential clients and reminding them that : "by paying you contribute to this form of slavery". Of course, such initiatives don't exclude witnesses on concrete struggles and more thorough analyses.

We should also try to set up interactive workshops. For example on how unemployment and social exclusion contribute to the exercise of violence against women and the other way around. We could ask the participation of friends who are active in the networks "No Vox" and the European Marches against Unemployment and Precariousness.

Which "Women's Assembly"?

It could have two functions:

A. To present the results of the workshops
B. To discuss and possibly adopt a "European Manifesto". This text should be launched from now on, in order to be able to start a very broad discussion in our groups at a european level. Thereafter it could be used to motivate different networks of women's movements and mixed social movements to join our mobilizations.

Sonia Mitralias
Member of the Greek working group for the Preparation of the "Women's Assembly" at the ESF, Athens 2006.
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Threshold Women's Mental Health Infoline

Threshold Women's Mental Health Infoline has been running since 1998 and has now responded to nearly 6,000 telephone enquiries and sent out more than 80,000 factsheets. The Infoline was set up by Threshold Women's Mental Health Initiative which has been providing mental health services to women on low incomes throughout East Sussex for over 15 years. Threshold is a charitable organisation, which is run by women for women to promote women's positive mental health.

The Infoline service was awarded 3 years' funding by the Community Fund in July 2003, and offers a freephone telephone and information service to callers throughout the UK.

Using national databases, our information library and the Internet, we aim to answer enquiries from women who use mental health services, women looking for support in their area and those wanting information about women's issues. We can also offer information to their carers, families, friends, partners and mental health workers supporting them.

We provide:

* Signposting / details of local and national services to callers anywhere in the UK, e.g. counselling and therapy organisations, self help and support groups, advocacy services, etc.

* Wide-ranging information about different mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, eating distress, self harm, medication, admission to hospital, parenting issues, childhood abuse, self help strategies, and many more.

* A series of factsheets (currently 31 titles) written specifically for women on a range of different mental health issues (free to individuals or 30p each for organisations and workers).

* Emotional support for women seeking information who may be calling in distress: although we do not offer a telephone helpline or counselling service all the women who answer the phone are trained in telephone counselling skills, and all calls are answered by women.

* An outreach support service at HMP Holloway's 'Focus on Resettlement' course for women prisoners about to be released where we provide factsheets and support to the women prisoners who attend.

We work from a feminist understanding of women's mental distress and recognise the social and environmental factors that might contribute to women's mental ill health, such as childhood sexual abuse, poverty, domestic violence, and the impact of being a survivor of a psychiatric system that sometimes fails to recognise these factors.

The fundamental tenet of the Infoline is that 'information is power', and we aim to serve a preventative function - by putting women in touch with relevant and accessible information we hope to enable and empower them to take greater care of their mental health, and potentially prevent crises.

Our open hours are:

Mon 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pm
Tue 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pm
Wed 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pm
Thu 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pm

24 hour confidential answerphone outside of these open hours.

Member of the Telephone Helplines Association
"Quality and Confidence for Callers to Helplines"

Supported by the Big Lottery Fund
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Last Chance To Book For Women in the City Lunch on 2 December 2005

If you've not already reserved your place, there's still time to join the 200 women already booked for this year's Women in the City Lunch taking place on Friday 2 December (12 noon to 3pm) at Gibson Hall, London EC2 with Keynote Speaker, Baroness Hogg.

Now in its third year, this Annual Lunch has an atmosphere that encourages mixing, mingling and lively conversation with like-minded business women.

Champage & Canape Reception, scrumptious Lunch with wine included and Luxurious prizes (including £500 towards a new wardrobe at Viyella and meals at a Michelin-starred restaurant & a top London hotel) are all on offer.

If you'd like to book a place, please call me on 0704 404 7497. Payment can be made by credit card.

Individual places cost £85 plus VAT (£94). Pairs of tickets are £150 +VAT (£176.25).

You can read more about the Lunch and also book online at http://www.gwenrhys.com/WICBooking_New(£2005).htm

Or contact Gwen Rhys on 0704 404 7497 or gwen@gwenrhys.com

The Women in the City Lunch is sponsored by Viyella and The Chelsea Catering Company
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Did you know that:

- Violence causes more death and disability worldwide amongst women aged 15-44 than war, cancer, malaria or traffic accidents?
- Two thirds of the world's illiterate people are women?
- Only 15% of parliamentary seats across the world are held by women?

WOMANKIND Worldwide is dedicated to improving women's lives and promoting women's rights across the world.

Today, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, we are proud to announce the launch of our new website. Please visit us at http://www.womankind.org.uk where you can:
- Learn what we do and how we do it
- Hear women's voices from all over the world
- Catch the latest WOMANKIND news
- Find out what you can do to help
- Watch our 2005 TV ad

If you enjoy the site, do help us spread the word about WOMANKIND and pass the link on to anyone you think might be interested.

WOMANKIND Worldwide - raising the status of women across the world.
2nd Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4JX
T: +44 (0) 20 75490360
F: +44 (0) 20 75490361
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Edited by author 24-11-2005 08:09 PM
I'm about to spend 3 months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, a project of the World Council of Churches which aims to 'observe and accompany Palestinians and Israelis in peaceful resistance to the occupation', and to engage in advocacy. I met WiB in Jerusalem in 2004 when serving with the same project.

Part of our role is to speak to any interested groups after we return, about our experiences (not history or politics but 'facts on the ground' such as are not usually taken up by the media). If you have a group or know of a group which would be interested, I will be available from April 2006. I live in Surrey but will travel a fair distance.

I'll have my diary with my so please email me if you're interested, at patriciapt8@btinternet.com

Best wishes,

Pat Price-Tomes

Edited by author 24-11-2005 06:46 PM
Mind The Gap Cardiff

Stop Violence Against Women - Discussion and Clothesline Project

To mark White Ribbon Day - 25th November 2005 from 7-11pm

http://mindthegapcardiff.blogspot.com/

This is a feminist blog created by a group of women in Cardiff. We aim to create a welcoming space for the discussion of gender politics, feminist ideas, theory and activism
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Say no to violence against women - Barking and Dagenham

Friday (25 November 2005) is the International Day against Violence against Women. White Ribbon Day is the UK's campaign against violence against women.

Wearing a white ribbon says I will not commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.

Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum will release 200 balloons from the steps of Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre to reflect

1 in 4 women experiencing domestic violence in this Borough.

Each balloon released signifies 100 women living in Barking and Dagenham who have or could have experienced domestic violence at some point in their adult life.

The frightening fact is that most incidents of domestic violence still go unreported.

Ninety per cent of children are in the same room or next room to where domestic violence incidents occur.

A series of seminars and workshops will be held on the day focussing on issues around Domestic Violence and its effects on children.

The event will be chaired by Simon Hart-Interim Director of Social Services.

Guest speakers include Catherine Orr Deas, previously worked for Shelter, Yvonne Rhoden, Metropolitan Police Racial and Violent Crime Task Force.

One of the major reported crimes in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham are offences relating to domestic violence.

The Borough Metropolitan police received 3,414 reported incidents last year.

For women aged 19-44, domestic violence is the leading cause of death, greater than cancer, war and motor vehicle accidents.

The majority, 89 per cent of the victims who suffer domestic violence are female.

However we also know that domestic violence can affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and male victims.

Cllr Cameron Geddes, Executive Member for Community Safety said: "In Barking and Dagenham we will not tolerate any kind of violence against women and children. This event highlights the many issues women and children face living with domestic violence."

The Domestic violence forum will stand together, as a gesture of solidarity with the women of Barking and Dagenham and women throughout the world who experience domestic violence.

White ribbon day is an internationally recognised event established by the UN in 1960.

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or even socially isolating abusive behaviour, cutting people off from their social networks.

What we do know is that domestic violence is a serious public health issue and the statistics are shocking.

Emma Gray, Barking and Dagenham's Domestic Violence co-ordinator said:"Here in Barking and Dagenham we are focussing this day on looking at the many problems children face living with domestic violence.

Over a third, 30-60 per cent of child protection conferences, involve domestic violence".

The Barking and Dagenham Council domestic violence advocacy service has been in operation since Nov 2004 and has dealt with 300 victims of domestic violence.

The Sanctuary project also provides additional security measures if women wish to remain in homes.

In its first year of service the project added security to home of 100 homes.

The new Domestic Violence directory service for the borough will be available on the day.

Press Release No. 9465
Please quote this number when corresponding with Public Relations.
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/2-press....cfm?item_code=2245

 
Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum
http://www.bardaglea.org.uk/dvf/

Fri 25 Nov 2005, 9.30am-1pm
Domestic Violence and Children

Barking & Dagenham Council's White Ribbon Day event, at Dagenham Civic Centre, will focus on the ways in which children are affected by witnessing domestic violence.
Contact Suzanne Honeyman, tel 020 8227 2479 or suzanne.honeyman@lbbd.gov.uk.
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Sixteen days of action to combat domestic violence

A major new effort to combat domestic violence is being launched in Richmond upon Thames next week with the start of 16 days of action. And "Don't suffer in silence" is the vital message to victims throughout the campaign.

The series of events will be coordinated by Richmond Council's Domestic Violence Forum.

They will start on November 25 - White Ribbon Day - with the launch at Orleans House Gallery of a Domestic Violence Directory, a vital tool containing information about those organisations offering support to anyone affected by domestic violence.

The event, starting 11am, will also see the presentation of a London-wide award to the Richmond Domestic Violence Forum by the Lilith Project in recognition of their powerful poster campaign. The award was given for posters produced by pupils from Teddington and Trafalgar Schools.

The London-based Lilith Project is a consortium of organisations working to raise awareness of violence against women.

Increased public awareness will also be generated with street stalls in Richmond Town Centre and Whitton on November 26 and 27.

A Multi-Agency Open Day will be held at York House on November 28 to which members of all relevant organisations and the public are welcome to attend.

Erin Pizzey, who opened this country's first women's Refuge, will speak about her work. The Chief Executive of Richmond Council and Chairman of the local Community Safety Partnership, Gillian Norton, will launch the event at 11am.

A carol service will be held on December 10 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Mortlake High Street, with the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Robin Jowit; Erin Pizzey; and Barbara Westmorland, Chair of local Domestic Violence Forum, attending. A survivor of domestic violence will be among those giving readings.

There will be performances of classical music, refreshments and displays, and donations invited for the local women's refuge. The service starts at 6pm.

Throughout the 16 days there will be displays in the Civic Centre and White Ribbons and key rings available for the public to wear. White Ribbons are worn to mark the International Day for the elimination of violence against women.

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Combating Crime, Councillor Tony Arbour, said:

"Domestic violence accounts for a quarter of all violent crime in the borough, a situation mirrored throughout the capital. The position is almost certainly worse than this as many domestic violence incidents go unreported. If there is one message we want to get across it is that victims must come forward and not suffer in silence.

"At the same time we want the perpetrators to be brought to book. Domestic violence is a very serious crime and we are determined to combat it with every means at our disposal."

Barbara Westmorland, Chair of the Domestic Violence Forum, commented: "The 16 days of action will serve to dispel the myths and stereotypes surrounding domestic violence and reinforce the message that it is never acceptable in our communities. Women are mainly, but not exclusively, the victims and those carrying out the violence must be held accountable."

Borough Commander, Chief-Supt Ian Edwards, added: "Domestic violence is rightly a high priority for the police and we are determined to stop it.

"The community must say, loudly and repeatedly, that domestic violence is not the fault of the victim, that it will not be tolerated in any form, and that we will tackle it together. Our support must be such that all survivors can have the confidence to report the crime to the police."

To get help call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline free on 0808-2000 247 or the local police community safety unit on 020 8247 7204. In an emergency dial 999.

Also, visit Refuge at www.refuge.org.uk or log onto Women's Aid at http://www.womensaid.org.uk.

For further information and advice call Gayle Sanders, the borough's Domestic Violence Co-ordinator, on 020 8831 6459.

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/press_office/pr...mestic_violence.htm
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White Ribbon Day - Tackling Domestic Violence In Hertfordshire
It's national White Ribbon Day on Friday, November 25.

East Herts and Broxbourne Domestic Violence Forum will be marking the campaign with an open morning at The Priory, Ware from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

At the open morning, there is a chance to hear about the help and support available to those who have experienced domestic violence - including the Hertfordshire Domestic Violence and Abuse Line. The line is available to victims or perpetrators of domestic violence and anyone else wanting to find out more about the subject. The line can be contacted on 08 088 088 088 Monday to Friday from 10am-8pm. The number will not be recorded on your telephone bill.

Also presenting at the event will be Hertfordshire Constabulary, Women's Aid and Victim Support. Displays and information will be available, as well as the chance to find out how to volunteer to help out the information line in the East Herts and Broxbourne area.

White Ribbon Day highlights the issue of domestic violence across the world. The term covers 'any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.' Domestic Violence affects one in four women in their lifetime and can also cause serious distress to children who witness or hear violence to their mother or father.

If you would like to come along to the open morning or find out more information on the topic, you can call Paul Griffin at East Herts Council on (01279) 655 261 or Paul Packham at Broxbourne Borough Council (01992) 785 555.

Nicola Burdett, Executive Member for Community Safety at East Herts Council said: "The East Herts and Broxbourne Domestic Violence Forum works hard to raise awareness of domestic violence and the services available to all who have experienced it. We want to take this opportunity to remind people that support is available for victims of this crime, whilst perpetrators can receive counselling and anger management courses to help control their behaviour"."

Bob Bick, lead member for community safety in Broxbourne said, "I hope people will take this opportunity to find out more about the help and support the Domestic Violence Forum brings to this difficult and sensitive issue. It aims to look at risk management of domestic violence offenders and increasing victim safety and the importance of a coordinated approach to tackling domestic abuse. This is your chance to help play a part."

http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/pressrel/2005/129WhiteRibbon.htm
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White Ribbon Day Manchester

The 25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, otherwise known as White Ribbon Day. The campaign was started in 1991 by a group of Canadian men on the second anniversary of one man's massacre of 14 women in Montreal, and urges men to speak out against violence towards women. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

As part of this campaign, for three days this week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) there will be a stall in the foyer of the Steve Biko Students' Union on Oxford Road where people can buy a white ribbon, pick up a wealth of information about the different types of violence, what people can do if they ever experience violence- or know of someone who has experienced it, and more about the campaign to eliminate violence against women.

On Thursday evening at 5pm there will be a candlelit vigil on the steps of the Students' Union. Everyone is welcome to come along, light a candle, reflect on the effects of violence and stand in solidarity to support this campaign. Please bring along any spare jam jars you have- or give them to the Women's Officer some time this week (preferably before the vigil!). Candles will be provided, and jam jar painting sessions will take place on Wednesday 2-4pm in Meeting Room 1 in and on Thursday 12.30-2.30pm also in Meeting Room 1 (second floor of the Students' Union) for anyone who'd like to decorate their jar!

Please feel free to contact Katie Whitehouse about this campaign or for more information on 0161 275 2939 or womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

http://www.student-direct.co.uk/?p=879#more-879
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Domestic violence - "help is out there" East Sussex Council

Help and support is available in the county for people who are victims of domestic violence.

That's the message from community safety officers at East Sussex County Council as organisations across the UK prepare to mark White Ribbon Day on Friday 25 November 2005.

White Ribbon Day is designed to highlight the issue of domestic violence and remember the victims who have died as a result of their injuries.

"People who are victims of this vicious and manipulative crime should not suffer in silence," said Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services. "The County Council works with a number of agencies to help the victims of domestic violence and reduce the number of repeat incidents.

"Research shows that one in four families in East Sussex is affected in some way by domestic violence. Community safety is one of the County Council's key priorities and that is why we believe White Ribbon Day is so important. The event highlights the issue and publicises the fact that help is out there."

Events to support White Ribbon Day in East Sussex include:

Eastbourne - prize draw to help raise awareness of the issue and support services that are available. The draw will be made at 3.30pm in the Arndale Centre on Monday 21 November 2005. Prizes include a one month membership at Fitness First, photography session and panto tickets. Tickets for the draw will be sold on the domestic violence stand in the Arndale Centre from 10am onwards.
Hastings - benefit gig at the Hastings and St Leonards Angling Club on Thursday 24 November at 7.30pm. Acts include Claire Hamill, Mama Josie, Reservoir Cats and Natalie Lewis. Tickets are £4 and £2 for concessions and are available from the HVA in Priory Street, Hastings Information Centre at the Town Hall and Cobblers in the Old Town. Money raised will go towards an emergency fund for victims of domestic violence in Hastings.

Hastings will also have a prize draw with prizes including a Toni & Guy haircut, £100 worth of high street shopping vouchers and a photography session. Tickets are being sold by the CRI Domestic Violence Project, the County Council's Community Safety team and at the Conquest Hospital A&E. The draw will take place at the benefit gig on Thursday evening.

Hailsham Sure Start Children's Centre - The Centre is holding an event on Friday 25 November to support and help publicise White Ribbon Day. It includes an introduction to complementary therapies morning offering a chance to try the different therapies on offer from local professionals such as reflexology, chair massage, beauty facials and reiki. Clarins and The Body Shop have donated raffle prizes. Places are limited and advanced booking is essential.

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/p...ses/2005/11/731.htm
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16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
25 November - 10 December 2005

East Renfrewshire Council and over 130 countries world wide are involved in the campaign to raise awareness about the issues surrounding male violence towards women and to highlight the fact that male violence against women is a human rights issue.

Events will be held throughout the 16 days starting with the launch, being held at the Civic Room in Barrhead on Friday 25 November from 12 noon - 1pm. This event is open to all and is free of charge.

Other events include the Charity Quiz Night in the Atrium of Netherlee Primary School on Friday 2 December from 7.30pm. If you work in a Statutory, Voluntary or Religious Organisations in East Renfrewshire get a team of 4 and join for £10 per team. All proceeds will be shared between East Renfrewshire Women's Aid and Rape Crisis.

Sunday 4 December will be the Walk Against Violence from Moray Drive / Strawhill Road Clarkston to Rouken Glen Park. Walkers should assemble at 10.30 at the Moray Drive car park. A free return bus is available from Council building in Barrhead to the walk in Clarkston at 10.30am.

The final event of the 16 days will be a Charity Dance at Clarkston Hall (7.30pm - midnight). Tickets are £5 each and the event is open to all.

You can download a full diary of the Activism Against Gender Violence 16 day event. PDF format. http://www.voluntaryaction-er.org.uk/main/...-on/20041124170443/

For further information contact Nicola, Telephone: 0141 557 8335 or Caterina, Telephone: 0141 577 8323
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White Ribbon Campaign

White Ribbon Campaign UK is the UK branch of the global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.

The focus of the campaign is to wear a white ribbon on November 25th , to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women.

This signifies a commitment of the person wearing the ribbon to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

From and around this event we develop education and campaigning work in schools and workplaces, as well as undertaking training programmes.

We maintain a website and discussion forum, and welcome active involvement.

More and more men want to make a difference. Caring men are tired of the sexism that hurts the women around them. We're not male bashers because we're men, working with men, who care about what happens in the lives of men.

For more details of current activities, for more information and to become more involved please contact the office:

Chris Green, White Ribbon Campaign , Knott Hall, Charlestown , Hebden Bridge , HX7 6PE
T: 07941 597584
E: info@whiteribbon campaign.co.uk
W: http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/
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