The White Ribbon Campaign, entering its 12th year, continues its work of encouraging men to become involved in ending men's violence against women.

Today, the WRC is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women.

"Change will occur if we each accept personal responsibility to make sure it happens," says campaign programme manager Jack Gagliardi. "As men who care about the women in our lives, we can take responsibility to help make sure women live free from fear and violence."

Each year, white ribbon supporters wear a ribbon from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women until Dec. 6, the anniversary of the Montreal massacre and Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

"Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit violence against women," Gagliardi said. "It is a personal pledge not to condone acts of violence, not to make excuses for perpetrators of violence and not to think that any woman 'asks for it.' It is a pledge not to remain silent. It is a pledge to challenge the men around us to act to end violence."

As in past years, white ribbons will be available for delegates attending the CAUT Council meeting in Ottawa Nov. 21-23, 2003.