On the eve of the 14th International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women (24th November 2013), the first annual meeting of the China White Ribbon Volunteers Network, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China Office, was held in Beijing to promote the involvement of men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence. Over 200 volunteers participated in this meeting and pledged to actively get engaged in the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. This event marked the first anniversary of men’s campaign led by China White Ribbon Network. Representatives from All China Women’s Federation and national civil society groups in China, as well as international organizations, including UN agencies and MenEngage Global Alliance, participated in the annual meeting.
Mr. Arie Hoekman, UNFPA Representative in China, delivered an opening speech, emphasizing that “Gender equality cannot be achieved without cooperation and participation of men. It is critical to engage men and boys in preventing and ending gender-based violence to ensure better health outcomes, including sexual and reproductive health, and harmonious societies”. He congratulated Dr. Fang Gang and volunteers for the startup of the China White Ribbon Volunteers Network, an important initiative driven by civil society to promote men’s and boys’ active engagement in the fight against gender-based violence.
Globally, gender-based violence is the most pervasive yet least reported human rights abuse, which undermines development and generates instability. As many as one in every three women have been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way, and one woman in four has been abused during pregnancy. Gender based violence is deeply rooted in gender inequality. With support by UNFPA, the first quantitative research on masculinities and gender-based violence revealed evidence showing the unequal power relations between men and women are still deeply embedded in gender norms, which are the root causes of violence against women. The research showed that key elements of socially accepted masculinity include the expectations that “real men” are tough, using violence to defend their honour, have power in family matters and are entitled to have sex irrespective of their partners’ willingness or lack of it. For instance, among 1017 male respondents, 73 per cent believe that men should be tough and 52 per cent said they will use violence to defend their honour. The research findings highlight the need to transform harmful social norms that perpetuate unequal gender power and the need to work with men and boys to nurture healthy attitudes, practices and relationships for a world without violence and discrimination.
To address gender-based violence rooted in unequal power and discriminatory relations between men and women, men must be engaged. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched in 2009 his Network of Men Leaders. The Network supports strengthening the role of male advocates and opinion leaders to foster a non-violence culture. Dr. Fang Gang, an active advocate of male involvement in gender-based violence, was invited to be a member of the Secretary-General’s Network of Men Leaders. Earlier this year, with support by UNFPA China, Dr. Fang Gang together with some volunteers founded China White Ribbon Volunteers Network.
As the world’s largest male-led movement to end violence against women and girls, White Ribbon volunteers in many countries around the world have been working to raise awareness on violence against women and girls and change men’s attitude and behaviour to prevent it. Since its establishment, China White Ribbon Volunteers Network has mobilized support from different sectors to work as volunteers and provide Hotline (4000 110 391) counselling services to those who experienced violence, who perpetrated violence and those who are inclined to commit acts of violence. Through working with media, China White Ribbon Volunteers Network also campaigned to raise awareness on gender-based violence, especially on what men can do to prevent it and respond to it.
At its first annual meeting, China White Ribbon Volunteers Network announced that a well-known movie stars couple, Mr. Feng Yuanzheng and Ms. Liang Danni, have accepted its invitation to act as spokespersons for the China White Ribbon Network. Mr. Feng became famous through his role as a violence perpetrator in a popular TV series “Don’t Talk to Strangers”, which brought domestic violence to the public attention. Though unable to appear in person at the event, Mr. Feng and his wife sent a video to congratulate the Network on convening their first meeting and expressed their commitment to promote the White Ribbon campaign in China.
At the end of the event, participants pledged to promote zero tolerance to gender-based violence. “I hope that all of us, especially men and boys, can make the promise to never use violence and never be silent about gender-based violence. China White Ribbon Network will continue to campaign on this issues and we hope to get stronger support and alliances from both individuals and institutions” said Dr. Fang Gang, founder of the China White Ribbon network.
