Renfrew Juniors Football Club have thrown in their weight behind a campaign which stresses the positive role that men can play in ending violence against women.

Gavin Newlands MP with John Gilmour, President of Renfrew Juniors, Davy Thompson, Interim Coordinator of White Ribbon Scotland with the players from Renfrew Juniors and Arniston Rangers
Gavin Newlands MP with John Gilmour, President of Renfrew Juniors, Davy Thompson, Interim Coordinator of White Ribbon Scotland with the players from Renfrew Juniors and Arniston Rangers

The White Ribbon Campaign is a global campaign to put a stop to male violence against women and girls. The campaign addresses men directly – so they can understand the scale of the problem, and become part of the solution.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, who also serves as a White Ribbon Ambassador, invited Renfrew Juniors to support this campaign by wearing a small white ribbon on their jerseys. The team wore the white ribbons during their Scottish Cup game on the 19th November when they played against Arniston Rangers.

The 16 Days of Action Against Women and Girls takes place from the 25th of November to the 10th of December 2016.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:

“I was delighted to see Renfrew Juniors and Arniston Rangers support The White Campaign and pledge their commitment to helping to end the violence that too many women still face on a daily basis.

“Renfrew Juniors play an important role in the community, with many young people looking up to the players as role models. Their support of this campaign will send a strong message that violence against women and girls has to stop.”

John Gilmour, President of Renfrew Juniors Football Club, said:

“Renfrew Juniors are proud to be a club rooted in the local community and throughout the year we will support a number of causes.

“This is an extremely important cause and by supporting The White Ribbon Campaign, we are sending a message that everyone has a role to play in putting a stop to violence against women and girls.”

Davy Thompson, Interim Coordinator of The White Ribbon Scotland Campaign, said:

“White Ribbon Scotland are grateful to Renfrew Juniors Football Club and Gavin Newlands MP for supporting our campaign, and in doing so sending a message about the positive role that men can play in ending violence against women and girls.

“In the UK, on average, two women are killed by their current or former partner every week. White Ribbon Scotland exists to end this violence by supporting men to challenge male violence against women and girls.”