BANFF – The YWCA Banff’s annual Red Rose evening returns next Thursday (Dec. 6) to discuss the importance of engaging men and boys as allies to prevent violence.
Those who attend the event will get an opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion with an expert moderator in the field of domestic violence and a panel of local men who recently participated in a three-day intensive training program to provide them with the tools to address violence in the community.
“It’s important to have people of all genders involved in ending gender-based violence. Men and boys have a huge opportunity to be part of changing attitudes, values and behaviours that contribute to a culture that devalues women and normalizes violence,” wrote Tuval Dinner Nafshi with Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS).
In October, YWCA Banff hosted Leading Change, a gender-based violence prevention-training program created by the ACWS. In order to offer the program free of charge, the YWCA Banff secured funding from the Alberta Status of Women.
The aim of the program is to increase men’s knowledge about issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence and empower them with tools to become allies who speak out against violence and make informed decisions when they witness sexism, homophobia and violence in their day-to-day lives.
“We feel really strongly that inviting men into the conversation about how to end domestic violence is something that is really important,” said Carla Snow, marketing and communications manager for YWCA Banff.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Lana Wells, who has been recognized for her work as a leader in reducing and preventing domestic violence through community initiatives and academic work at the University of Calgary. Red Rose is an annual event that focuses on exploring topics that are essential to the wellbeing of communities and to advancing the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
The event will take place during the national YWCA Rose Campaign, which takes its name from the rose button created after 14 young women were murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989.
The Rose Campaign works year-round to reduce violence against women, increase public awareness and prevent violence before it starts.
The event will be held on Dec. 6 – Canada’s Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies starting at 7 p.m.
Go to www.ywcabanff.ca to purchase tickets.
