COMMUNICATIONS

CDHB Supporting White Ribbon Day

The Canterbury District Health Board is supporting the New Zealand Families Commission and the United Nations in their promotion of White Ribbon Day, a national day for the elimination of violence against women.

The CDHB is supporting speaking out against violence but has decided to broaden its approach and speak out against violence for all individuals. White Ribbons will be distributed across CDHB departments and worn by staff from Thursday 23 November through to Saturday 25 November 2006.

There will be a display of white ribbons in the entrance way of Christchurch Women’s Hospital where staff and the public can access information. An old fashioned rotating clothes line will be erected outside the hospital’s front entrance. The symbolic message is that violence happens in homes and that we need to work together to stop the cycle of violence. There will be clothes hung on the line with statistics and messages that promote awareness of the issue for health professionals.

A collective approach by all communities is required if we are going to change the current situation.

ENDS