The Tribune

In a stand against violence towards women and girls, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) united with the world’s largest movement of men and boys during this year’s White Ribbon Campaign.

Several male students and staff repeated a pledge which stated: “Our strength is not for hurting. I promise never to use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women,” followed by the signing of a pledge card. They also were pinned with a white ribbon, which is a symbol of peace and their opposition to violence against women and girls.

The brief ceremony held at BTVI’s main campus, Old Trail Road, was led by the Student Affairs Department in partnership with the Crisis Centre and Rotary Road to Peace Organisation.

BTVI’s Dean of Student Affairs, Racquel Bethel, said the pinning ceremony was the institution’s way of working towards ending violence against women and girls, promoting gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.

“We want to show our support opposing violence against women. It is very meaningful. There is too much in the news about violence. We need to make a concerted effort in standing up against violence,” said Ms Bethel.

BTVI’s interim president, Dr Linda A Davis, gave her support to the movement, adding that it is imperative that all individuals take a stand against violence towards women and girls.

“BTVI stands united with all global causes of meaning and this is one. We are all equal and united in this front as we seek to remedy any such ills that befall us,” said Dr Davis.

The White Ribbon Campaign is led by men to end male violence against women and girls. The movement began in Canada in 1991 following a massacre of female students at a university in Montreal. The campaign encourages males to actively show their opposition by wearing a white ribbon and to rethink any deeply embedded, toxic ideas of masculinity. The White Ribbon movement is active in over 60 countries.