This is my son. He is 10 years old. He gets it. Hopefully, White Ribbon is an organisation he will never have to call on in his lifetime. At 10 years old, he understands that no-one deserves to be abused, no-one is a possession and no-one has more rights than anyone else.
In the lead up to the 2015 White Ribbon Day, I took the picture above to use in my fundraising drive for White Ribbon. My son agreed, without hesitation. It's not the first time he's had his photo taken showing his support for White Ribbon. The picture below was taken at the beginning of the year.
He wore that ribbon proudly all season. He was excited for people to see that and know he supported not only the cause but the message behind the cause. Next season, no doubt, he will see the White Ribbon sellers and ask to get another, not because it's cool, not because it's the latest fashion, because it's part of who he is - the most gentle, caring, nurturing child you could ever hope to meet.
So, when does it end? I said at the top of this piece that, given human nature, this job of raising awareness of and trying to put a stop to violence against women will never end. There will always be a small minority who think the world owes them everything. As a society, we can never cease in our efforts to protect our citizens from those people.
As individuals we can reduce the need for such organisations. As individuals we can declare that we do not support violence against anyone. As individuals we can be vigilant in making sure we are part of the solution and not part of the problem.
As a society, we can never let this campaign end. So will you be man enough to stand with my 10 year old? Will you take the oath? Will you be part of the solution so that one day, maybe, we can say that this does end.
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