The Commission Against Domestic Violence has teamed up with the Malta Football Association as part of a project co-financed though the European Social Fund, entitled “ESF 3.43 Dignity for Domestic Violence Survivors”, to raise awareness on domestic violence.

Players for the popular football teams Valletta FC and Ħamrun Spartans will take to the field wearing white ribbons for the duration of the game to show their support for this worthy cause. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Wearing a white ribbon is a way of saying “Our future has no violence against women”. The campaign aims to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.

This white ribbon campaign, part of a global initiative, offers men the chance to be part of the solution to end violence against women and is led by the Commission for Domestic Violence.  This partnership aims to highlight the perils and tragedy of domestic violence during next Saturday’s football match at the national stadium in Ta’ Qali.

The chairperson of the Commission Against Domestic Violence, Joanna Xuereb said: ”Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women or girls. This is a serious issue that is present in our society and partnering with the Malta Football Association has provided us with an opportunity to highlight all types of violence.”

MFA CEO Bjorn Vassallo emphasised: “The responsibilities of the Malta Football Association go way beyond the 90 minutes of a football match. In this regard all of us in the football family recognise the need to safeguard the values of life so that through football we can create a healthy society which would be capable of choosing between positive and negative attitudes. The Malta Football Association always insists that any form of violence is an obstacle in the development of an inclusive and active society.”

Source: independent.com.mt