Getting men to acknowledge and speak out against violence against women is important.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes-Wales (NFWI-Wales) and Joyce Watson, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, have been working together to recruit male ambassadors to pledge their support to ending violence against women.

Each year, the White Ribbon Campaign urges men and boys to wear a ribbon for one or two weeks, starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women.

One in four women in Wales will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lives, and 150,000 women in Wales will suffer some form of gender-based violence.

Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

NFWI-Wales and Joyce Watson hosted a cross-party stakeholder event at the Welsh Senedd on 19 November to mark White Ribbon Day and discuss the importance of engaging with boys and men to eliminate male violence against women.

Prior to the event, politicians and other supporters gathered on the steps of the Senedd holding Not in my Name posters signed by male groups and organisations. Politicians also signed a giant white ribbon as a pledge of their support.

NFWI-Wales chair, Ann Jones spoke about the involvement of the WI in the Not in my Name campaign and shared examples of groups recruited by WI members.

In her address, Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Local Government, highlighted that eradicating violence against women and domestic abuse in Wales was a key priority for her and the Welsh Government.

She said that getting men to acknowledge and speak out against violence against women was an important part of achieving this aim.

Chris Green, UK director of the White Ribbon Campaign spoke about the successes of the White Ribbon Campaign in increasing male involvement in the campaign.

And thanks to the work of the NFWI-Wales, it is increasing.

Powys Brecknock Federation has recruited Brecon Ford, and Gwent Federation has secured the support of tree surgeons Birch Utilities. Wrexham AFC and Newport County AFC are also supporting the campaign.

The Welsh Rugby Union is supporting the Not in my Name campaign; Wales Squad members took time out of training for their Dove Men Series clash against Argentina to sign a poster of a giant white ribbon.

WI members are also recruiting male choirs to pledge support for the 2013 Campaign.

Bois Goetre-Hen a’r Cylch male choir, based in Coytrahen, raised awareness of the Not in my Name Campaign at their first Annual Gala Concert, and choir members wore white ribbons during their concert and signed a giant poster as a pledge of their support; Cor Meibion Aberhonddu is supporting the campaign for the second year and performed at the Light a Candle Service in Brecon Cathedral; Dyffryn Peris Male Voice Choir wore white ribbons during their concert for members of Gwynedd Caernarfon Federation.

Glamorgan Federation secured support from a number of other male choirs in their area including Bois Afan Male Choir, Pelenna Valley Male Voice Choir, Cowbridge Male Choir, Cardiff Male Choir, Plough Singers and Cancer Challenge singers.

And earlier on in November male choir Bechgyn Bro Taf wore their white ribbons during their performance on the pitch of the Millennium Stadium prior to the Wales and South Africa Autumn International game.

This year’s campaign focus has been on younger women and girls, and work with schools and colleges to help create a culture where violent behaviour towards women and girls is unacceptable.

For, as Joyce Watson said: “It is vital that boys and girls and young men and women learn to have healthy relationships early, and to support others where they see patterns of abuse developing.”

“It is vital that men speak out on this subject. By changing the culture, the behaviour of a minority will become increasingly unacceptable.”