Published: 24 Nov 2010
ITF and MUA show strong support for White Ribbon Day.
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have thrown their collective support behind White Ribbon Day tomorrow (Thursday 25 November).
ITF President and National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, Paddy Crumlin, said many MUA officials, delegates and members have signed up to be White Ribbon Ambassadors, including Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman who is on the National Leaders Group of the White Ribbon Foundation.
MUA crew on board the Aurora Australis in Antarctica, 2,250 nautical miles south-south-west of Perth, have also actively pledged their support for White Ribbon Day (see photos).
"Although these members are in probably the most isolated part of the planet, they have connected with their union colleagues throughout the world to support White Ribbon Day," Mr Crumlin said.
"This is a fantastic effort and shows that the rest of us should also take the time to do something positive on White Ribbon Day.
"The White Ribbon Foundation's mission is to change attitudes and behaviours that support or excuse violence against women, and our members wholeheartedly support these objectives.
"Our unions are actively supporting the cause by creating awareness about the positive role that men can play in bringing an end to violence against women.
"Our members are also showing leadership to bring about social change and to build collective knowledge and understanding of the effective prevention of violence against women."
Mr Crumlin said the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has dedicated White Ribbon Day to Akhona Geveza, a 19-year-old South African seafarer whose body was found off the coast of Croatia, after going missing after reporting she was raped onboard.
