The White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women held activities in Beijing Friday, encouraging men and women to work together against domestic violence.

The event was sponsored by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in collaboration with the Chinese Media Monitor of Women and the China Association for NGO (Non-governmental Organization) Cooperation to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and International Human Rights Day on December 10.

The White Ribbon campaign was initiated by a group of men in Canada in 1991 and has become one of the world's largest men's organizations fighting men's violence against women.

Kerstin Leitner, the United Nations resident coordinator and the UN Development Program (UNDP) resident representative, said the celebration of the White Ribbon campaign in China offered a unique opportunity to highlight the important role of men in creating a society free of domestic violence.

"Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women," said Dr. Michael Kaufman, one of the initiators of the campaign. "The expanded campaign in China will also encourage other countries involved in such activities."

China's first ever men's group for the elimination of gender-based violence was also launched Friday.

Violence against women is the most common violation of women's rights, which affects the lives of women in different cultures, regions, races and economic status, according to the latest World Report on Violence and Health by the World Health Organization.

Between 10 and 69 percent of women in 48 population-based surveys around the world are reportedly physically assaulted by an intimate male partner at some point in their lives.

In China, a survey conducted by the All-China Women's Federation shows that three in 10 households experience domestic violence and in 90 percent of cases women are the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2002)