Briton helps build global pledge vs violence on women

Briton helps build global pledge vs violence on women

By Andrew Hough

LONDON, (Reuters Life!) - Chris Green is a passionate man, especially when it comes to helping prevent violence against women and building support for the White Ribbon Campaign that come to the fore this weekend.

Green, 53, a college lecturer, normally shuns the spotlight but was thrilled recently to be voted "Ultimate Man of the Year" by Cosmopolitan magazine for work on the campaign that was began in 1991 when a group of Canadian men decided they had a responsibility to speak out about violence against women.

The white ribbon campaign has since spread to over 55 countries and become a global symbol to show men's opposition to violence against women and demonstrate that men "pledge never to commit, condone or to remain silent about violence against woman."

As one of the founders of the British branch of the campaign, Green has enlisted the support of men nationwide, including Premier League managers Rafael Benitez of Liverpool, Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Everton coach David Moyes.

All three will join men across Britain to wear the white ribbon from Sunday, November 25 -- the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Woman -- until December 6.

Green hopes 500,000 people in Britain will join in.

So why did the self-confessed "ordinary guy" become involved in raising male awareness about the issue?

"UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund) said that violence against women is the single most pervasive human rights violation and it is something which I agree with quite strongly," Green told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Green, who was about to embark on a campaigning tour around Britain, said it was no longer hard to get men involved.

He drums up support by enlisting the help of celebrities and sportsmen, especially footballers, who men can easily relate to, and campaigns in sports clubs and the workplace.

The Internet has also helped. The campaign has virtual headquarters on "Second Life," while social networking site Facebook has proved useful in connecting to younger people.

Green said his partner of 25 years, Linda Patterson, a doctor, has been one of his most avid supporters.

He manages the campaign from his home in Hebden Bridge, northern England, when he is not teaching e-Learning at Manchester Metropolitan University but he says he's not a one-man band.

"There are hundreds of volunteers working on the campaigns, women who are working in the field, and of course the victims themselves, who should be also awarded," he said. "These people are seeing the consequences day after day."

(Editing by Astrid Zweynert)

FROM: REUTERS