White Ribbon night to empower women

GET INVOLVED: White Ribbon Day fundraiser organiser Carlie White (left) and friend Stacy Wilesmith encourage victims of domestic violence to form relationships with other women to feel supported and empowered.

OVER 12 months one woman on average is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.

Milton-Ulladulla residents can help raise awareness of domestic violence by taking part in the region’s first White Ribbon Day fundraiser at the Dunn Lewis Centre in November.

Organiser Carlie White is calling for local businesses and community groups to become involved with the event she hopes will inspire and empower women.

As well as encouraging women to speak up about domestic violence, she will also be urging men to sign a pledge to help end violence against women.

Carlie hopes to make contact with any groups or organisations that want to hold a stall, run a workshop or provide entertainment during the November 25 fundraiser.

She is also collecting prizes for raffles and auctions to be held on the night, with funds raised going toward women and children who have been victims of violence.

“It is the first fundraiser of its type in Ulladulla and I hope it will become an annual event,” she said.

“I would like to have people involved that want to empower and support women as well as services that can help women break free from domestic violence.

“Whether we realise it or not, we all know someone going through, or who has been through, domestic violence.”

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White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 25, signalling the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, culminating in Human Rights Day on December 10.

Carlie said domestic violence did not just affect women and children, but also men and the wider community.

She said while rural areas had some services, many did not have enough.

“A good support network is important, from counsellors through to friends,” she said.

Carlie said party plan businesses had empowered women to take control of their lives since the end of World War II.

“I have my own party plan business and enjoy empowering women with the products I sell,” she said.

“Meeting friends for coffee and doing exercise are great ways for women to feel confident, less withdrawn and provide an outlet for women to speak up about violence.”

Carlie said women needed to feel empowered and to take control of their lives by being with other supportive women.

She said exercise was a great way to reconnect with women and break the isolation.

“As well as business and community groups, it would be great to have sporting groups represented at the fundraising night as I believe exercise can help women in so many ways, by making them feel more confident, strong and connected to other women,” she added.