The Break the Silence on Violence Against Women project will encourage young Manitobans to work towards ending violence against women and girls, Deputy Premier Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for the Status of Women, and Wade Miller, President & CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, announced today.
“This initiative will help all Manitobans recognize the importance of promoting a safe, inclusive society for women, and the role men play in building this environment,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “Having professional athletes from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers act as ambassadors in this project will help us connect with a broad range of Manitobans.”
The Manitoba government and Status of Women Canada have provided support for this initiative, which includes public service announcements featuring Winnipeg Blue Bombers players and staff. The project will also include school-based educational workshops led by Blue Bombers players and staff for high school students, football teams, coaching staff and community leaders. Over the next three years, players and staff will also deliver more than 100 school-based educational workshops for high school students, football teams, coaching staff and community leaders.
“Violence against women is a men’s issue. As community leaders, we are fortunate enough to have a platform to champion this cause,” said Wade Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “We are very proud of the players and staff who have stepped up as ambassadors for this program.”
Developed in partnership with Ending Violence Association of Canada, the school programs emphasize the role young men and boys play in promoting gender equality, and their ability to transform environments that perpetuate or contribute to violence against women and girls.
“This epidemic has long been seen as a women’s issue but more recently, positive male leaders such as the Bombers and the CFL are joining with women to encourage everyone to interrupt attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to happen,” says Tracy Porteous, Co-Chair Ending Violence Association of Canada, and co-creator of the Be More Than a Bystander Program.
The Break the Silence on Violence Against Women project is a continuation of the 2012 public awareness campaign produced by the Manitoba Government and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
To view the 2012/2015 player PSAs, or for more information on this project, visit www.gov.mb.ca/stoptheviolence/
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