KOROR (Palau Horizon) – President Johnson Toribiong on Wednesday signed presidential proclamation No. 09-12, recognizing Nov. 25 as White Ribbon Day- a stance to end violence against women and girls.
The proclamation said that the white ribbon campaign recognize that “most men do not commit acts of violence against women and girls, yet by staying silent about this issue, we are allowing it to continue.”
The proclamation stated that wearing white ribbon is a “personal/public pledge that wearer does not condone, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.”
Violence against women has always been considered a woman’s issue and that the white ribbon campaign will put an end to the violence if both women and men work together.
It added that sexual and gender-based violence is pervasive across the Pacific and usually under reported.
The proclamation comes with a pronouncement that the Ministry of Justice and the Bureau of Public Safety will raise awareness to the important issue and engage the community in the prevention of violence.
The proclamation also seeks to promote improved public policies and improve services for support for those in need of them promoting awareness.
The proclamation urged all governmental and non-governmental women organizations and agencies to work with officials to increase public awareness.
