I consider it my responsibility to swear today.
Men across Australia are being asked to swear an oath that commits them to never commit or excuse violence against women. The My Oath website has full details on why we should swear and lets men take part in the campaign.
The campaign has the support of high profile men such as Keith Urban, Wil Anderson, David Koch, Adam Goodes, Shannon Noll, Gerry Harvey, Joe Hockey, Rove, Dicko, and many others.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has labelled violence against women the most prevalent violation of human rights on the planet. And Australia is far from immune. Currently, one in three Australian women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Every single one of us knows a women who has suffered its effects, whether we know it or not. These women are our mothers, daughters, our wives, our girlfriends, colleagues and friends. By supporting this campaign you are helping to ensure that Australia becomes a safer place for all women, and their children.
Today is also White Ribbon Day, and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Australian men are urged to visit the My Oath website and follow the links to swear the following:
I swear:
never to commit violence against women,
never to excuse violence against women, and
never to remain silent about violence against women.
This is my oath.
Violence against women is never acceptable. Please swear today.
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We had this type of thing in America a few years ago when I was living there… Don’t you find it a little odd that people think this sort of an oath, organised by celebrities, is necessary (will have the power) to stop men from beating their wives/girlfriends? I think its another case of symbolism over substance.
I’m also a little sceptical about people who wear ribbons for these sorts of things. It’s kind of like, “Hey! I care more than you about this issue and I’m showing it by wearing this little ribbon on my lapel…” Hehehee…my two cents as I try to wake up.
Yes, it can simply be symbolism but I think there’s a lot more to it.
Putting the issue under the spotlight sends the message that it’s a serious issue that shouldn’t be swept under the carpet. My understanding is that many of the men who perpetrate violence against women consider that what they’re doing is OK. Their wife or partner is ‘their property’ and they can do what they like. A campaign like this spreads the message that that’s not the case.
You and I understand that we should honour and protect women. To us, the idea that violence against women is wrong is a given. To some men, that’s not the case. They need to get the message that society expects more from them.
The campaign on its own won’t stop violence against women but if it starts to change attitudes and lets women who have been abused know that we don’t accept what’s happened to them, it will go some way towards a solution.