Women’s rights advocates in Cardiff starts worldwide campaign to end domestic violence
Women of different ethnicities marched in Cardiff to commemorate White Ribbon Day or the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Wednesday, 25th of November.
Members and supporters of various women’s rights organizations such as BAWSO, Welsh Women’s Aid, and Welsh Centre for International Affairs walked from Cathedral Road to Llandaff Cathedral holding banners and posters to remind people of the city that domestic violence should not be tolerated.
“I support women who have been suffering from domestic violence so this march was to really get the word out there. It’s a good feeling because you know you’re doing something good,” said Farirai Bond, a support worker for female victims in Caerphilly, South Wales.
After the march, a short program was held in the Llandaff Cathedral where representatives from religious groups showed their support for the eradication of female abuse as well.
A survivor of domestic violence also shared her personal experience to the audience. She said: “Had I stayed, my son would’ve turned out to be like his dad and my daughter would have been brought up to be a victim of abuse and I wasn’t going to let that happen. I hope my story will help others. It is a huge thing to go and ask for help, but if you need it, go get it. It’s the best thing I ever did.”
The event marked the first day of the 16-day worldwide campaign to help victims of sexual abuse to speak up and fight for women’s rights.
Twitter timelines were also filled with the #WhiteRibbonDay hashtag in Wales and everywhere else in the world:
Stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women. Support @WhiteRibbonAust. #WhiteRibbonDay pic.twitter.com/0WCB1ZYCKs
— Twitter Australia (@TwitterAU) November 24, 2015
130,000 children live in homes where there is high-risk domestic abuse #WhiteRibbonDay https://t.co/FBOEkXr5nH pic.twitter.com/V487hIlbsM
— Safer Caerphilly (@SaferCaerphilly) November 24, 2015
In the build up to #WhiteRibbonDay #Gambia has banned the practice of #FGM
Via @guardian https://t.co/8P4HXZ9ODj
— FaithAction (@FaithActionnet) November 24, 2015
#WhiteRibbonDay Pledge Support! @PrideCymru @Saferwales @AssemblyWales @LlamauUK @WomensInstitute @JoyceWatsonam pic.twitter.com/zycB0GNFN0
— Pride Cymru (@PrideCymru) November 25, 2015