AMWU members are taking part in the White Ribbon campaign and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women this Thursday.

The White Ribbon campaign is the world’s first men-led campaign to end violence against women and has the full support of the AMWU, with National Secretary Dave Oliver and President Paul Bastian signing on as Ambassadors of the campaign.

“We’re proud to be involved with the White Ribbon campaign, which recognises the pivotal role men must play in ending violence against women”, said Dave Oliver.

“When men don’t speak up against behaviour, including jokes and myths that make light of the issue and contribute to unsafe environments for women, then we let women down and we let ourselves down.”

Violence against women doesn’t have to be physical. It can be emotional, and the White Ribbon campaign also targets behaviour that contributes to making women feel less comfortable about reporting violence or abuse.

Shannon Field is a diesel mechanic and AMWU delegate from Sydney who has first hand experience of sexist behaviour in the workplace – from being the focus of groundless rumours and derogatory comments, to being denied the same tools and opportunities as male apprentices.

“I think its’ a common experience for women on the workshop floor where there’s never been a woman before and the men don’t know how to behave.

 “Certain barriers need to be understood. I’m not particularly delicate – you can swear like a sailor in front of me. But don’t tell me I’ll be better off in high heels – those comments are the ones you’ll come undone for.

“It’s sometimes outright sexism combined with ‘chivalrous’ sexism, but at the end of the day, it’s still sexism.”

AMWU President, Paul Bastian, says that all men have a role to play in the elimination of violence against women.

“It’s up to all of us to challenge views and behaviour which are harmful to women and which tacitly excuse violence against our wives, sisters, mothers, daughters and workmates.

“That’s why we’ve signed up to this campaign, and why the AMWU is encouraging all our members to take the Oath.

“Together, we can eliminate violence against women. This means violence at work and other public spaces as well as in the home”, he said.

Violence against women remains at endemic levels in Australia, with almost half of all Australian women experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime, and anywhere between one in five to one in two women being survivors of sexual violence. Statistics show that men who engage in gender-based harassment or discriminatory behaviour towards women in the workplace are more likely to tolerate or use violence against women in other areas of their lives.

Shannon says that it’s good to see the AMWU taking part in the campaign.

“I’m hoping to see the end of sexism in the workplace in my lifetime and God knows it’s something that I’ve worked towards. Because every day I remind them that we’re all human. So OK, you’re a boy and I’m a girl, but if we get cut, we bleed the same colour.”

White Ribbons are for sale at major retailers and events will be held at locations around the country on Thursday November 25.

For more information and to find out how you can be involved in the White Ribbon campaign, visit whiteribbonday.org.au and take The Oath at myoath.com.au.