White Ribbon is running the #iPledge digital campaign asking men from all occupations to pledge their allegiance to eradicate violence against women in every possible form. It is a reassurance to oneself that, “By wearing the white ribbon, I pledge never to commit, never to excuse, and never to remain silent about violence against women.
I pledge to stop violence against women. @AskWhiteRibbon #iPledge
White Ribbon annually marks International Day of Eradicating Violence Against Women; every year on 25th of November, the day, also known as “White Ribbon Day”. We initiate different activities at national level aiming to combat violence against women from every nook and corner of the country. The activities continued till 10th of December as “16 Days of Activism” which is planned and implemented to aware the maximum number of people about true status of women according to our religion, cultural norms and traditions.
To contribute towards the prevention of violence against women takes more than simply being a non-violent man. It requires a complete understanding of the factors that contribute to violence directed toward women. As a result, it is imperative to change, and adopt updated beliefs and attitudes in order to align behavior with the ongoing effort to eliminate violence.
Fatherhood serves such a purpose. A responsible father is not only non-violent but also dedicated to ending violence against women. Fathers are in a prime position to react to issues of masculinity and gender discrimination because of their close relationships with their wives and children. Nonviolent people can do much more than be nonviolent; they can effectively prevent violence.
Generations ago, we thought every father to be a ‘traditional model’ father- their work was to work outside their homes and to be a reliable economic provider by being a ‘breadwinner’ for the entire family. It was not expected of them to contribute more than just a minimal amount of work. With the evolving concept of ‘fatherhood’, this notion was shattered. Men are responsible along with women for bringing up and nurturing children. For the past 30 years, this concept of ‘fatherhood’ has been receiving much attention with revelations that dads occupy a major role in parenting and also in ending gender-based violence.
It has been shown that fathers who are involved in the lives of their children have the ability to make them understand the importance of healthy and equality-based relationships. It can be rightly said that fathering is one of the most effective catalysts for ending gender-based violence. Fatherhood can also be a transformational experience for role models who grew up without such role models in their childhood.
Such a shift and transformation of fatherhood is a positive impact of feminism. As women have begun working outside the home, they also expect their male counterparts to do their share of domestic work and childcare. Changing that perspective is not just relevant for children, but also for women. Keeping in mind the development and upbringing of their children can be a powerful motivator for men who engage in violence, for them to stop it. It is widely regarded as a long-term solution to ending violence.
We will be able to witness less violence in society as more men focus on caregiving, nurturing, and making efforts to bring up their kids as better human beings. It will ultimately result in less violence against children, less violence against women and less violence against other men.
Many studies have clearly shown that children of involved fathers are more likely to demonstrate more cognitive competence on standardized intellectual assessments (Lamb 1987; Radin 1994) and have higher IQ’s (Gottfried et al., 1988; Honzik, 1967; Radin 1972; Shinn, 1978).
Furthermore, children of involved fathers are more likely to enjoy school (National Center for Education Statistics, 1997), have positive attitudes toward school (Flouri, Buchanan, & Bream, 2002; Flouri, 2005), participate in extracurricular activities, and graduate. They are also less likely to fail a grade, have poor attendance, be suspended or expelled, or have behaviour problems at school.
Children of involved fathers are more likely to have higher levels of economic and educational achievement, career success, occupational competency, better educational outcomes, higher educational expectations, higher educational attainment, and psychological well-being.
Children of involved fathers are more likely to demonstrate a superior tolerance for stress and frustration (Mischel, Shoda, & Peake, 1988), have superior problem solving and adaptive skills (Biller, 1993), be more playful, resourceful, skilful, and attentive when presented with a problem (Mischel et al., 1988), and are better able to manage their emotions and impulses in an appropriate manner. Father involvement contributes significantly and independently to adolescent happiness (Flouri & Buchanan, 2003a).
If we consider all such facts from a biological perspective, we would be rather surprised to find that even biology supports effective parenting. Hormonal studies have revealed that dads show increased levels of oxytocin during the first weeks of their babies’ lives. This hormone, sometimes called the “love hormone,” increases feelings of bonding among groups. Dads get an oxytocin boost by playing with their babies, according to a 2010 study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Fatherhood also leads to declines in testosterone, the “macho” hormone associated with aggressive behaviour.
All in all, it can be said that,
Involved dads = Successful children
Keeping in mind the value of campaigning through print and electronic media, White Ribbon has successfully engaged journalists from all over the country. It provides them with the facilities of a resource centre to enable them to research their features, videos, articles etc. and hold training workshops to teach the method of gender-sensitive reporting.
To make the initiative of gender sensitization of the media a sustainable effort, a network of media alumni has also been set up, and so far, most of the journalists who are involved in the engagement process have become active members of the White Ribbon Media Alumni. The main objective of this network is to promote the concept of gender-sensitive reporting within media and to advocate women’s rights through articles, news reports, and features.
In order to formalize the concept of gender sensitivity in media, White Ribbon launched a Code of Ethics for Gender Sensitive Reporting during its first National Conference on Gender and Media, held on the International Women’s Day 2012, in Islamabad. Code of Ethics, endorsed by 150 journalists present at the event, includes Basic Principles of gender-sensitive reporting; Mainstreaming Gender in Media Coverage; Accountability and Impartiality, Gender Stereotyping; Coverage of Gender-Based Violence; Workplace – Capacity Building and Promotion.
To assess the implementation of the Code of Ethics, White Ribbon held the second National Conference on Gender and Media on International Women’s Day 2013. The major highlight of the second conference was White Ribbon Media Awards – for which the journalists submitted about 100 entries. Acknowledging the efforts of journalists on gender-sensitive reporting, White Ribbon gave away the awards in the categories of Print, Broadcast, Web, and Photo Journalism.
In recent years, the Government of Pakistan introduced and implemented various laws and amendments to counter gender-based discrimination, violence against women, and economic and social empowerment of women. These laws address different forms of violence against women like workplace harassment, acid attacks, honour killings, forced marriages etc.
Women’s rights are protected by the Constitution, and other legislative measures are taken by the government but still victims are unable to get relief in true spirit of all these pro-women laws because of lack of awareness and implementation of the laws. The stakeholders including police, judiciary, lawyers, MLOs and service providers lack capacity for effective implementation of women-friendly legislation.
White Ribbon has initiated a nationwide legal literacy campaign to address this situation. The initiative includes:
Laws and Remedies regarding Violence against Women
