The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is inviting the men of the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts to take part in this year’s White Ribbon Day (WRD) Campaign. The health and social services organization is planning a series of events to mark the campaign throughout the month of March.

The White Ribbon Day Campaign is an international human rights effort to invite men and boys to be part of the solution in ending violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence. In addition to promoting positive masculinity, gender equity, and racial justice, the campaign urges men to take the White Ribbon Pledge: “From this day forward, I promise to be part of the solution in ending violence against women and all gender-based violence.”

“This effort can’t be left to women alone,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “It is crucial that men and boys get involved, and I want to invite them to get to know the campaign, spread its message to their male peers, and take the White Ribbon Day pledge.”

On March 9, the MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program will engage the male staff of the organization in a group discussion about WRD, and how important it is to be engaged in the effort to end violence against women and all gender-based violence.

The following day, MAPS staff will present the campaign to the men taking part in MAPS’ Intimate Partner Abuse Educational Program, and invite them to take the pledge.

On March 20, the organization will engage young Cape Verdean men and others at the Teen Center at St. Peter’s – Catholic Charities of Boston, in Dorchester, in a conversation around the campaign and about what it means to be brave.  

On March 27, MAPS heads to the Brazilian American Center (BRACE) in Framingham for a series of one-on-one conversations with male attendees of the center, and will involve them in the campaign by encouraging them to take the pledge.

Prior to these events, MAPS will be taking part in the Massachusetts White Ribbon Day ceremony on Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 AM at the State House, organized since 2007 by Jane Doe Inc., the statewide coalition of organizations providing support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The White Ribbon Day Campaign was created in 1991, on the second anniversary of one man’s massacre of 14 women in Montreal, to urge men to speak out against violence against women. MAPS has been part of the initiative since its inception in Massachusetts.