Waikato Women’s Refuge – Te Whakaruruhau is encouraging Hamiltonians to buy a bunch of white roses with a white ribbon from Florist Ilene in the week leading up to White Ribbon Day, Saturday 25 November.
White Ribbon Day aims to end men’s violence towards women by encouraging men to lead by example and take a stand against domestic violence.
From 20-25 November, you can buy 10 white roses for $20 from Florist Ilene on Commerce St in Frankton. For every bouquet sold, Florist Ilene will donate $5 to Waikato Women’s Refuge.
Florists throughout the Waikato region are taking part with their own awareness-raising by adding white ribbons to bouquets and taking donations for Waikato Women’s Refuge. The other participating florists are Forget Me Not Florist and Fiori Flowers in Matamata, Little Flower Shop and Be Inspired by 2 in Cambridge, Petite Posy in Te Awamutu, and the Flower Shoppe in Otorohanga.
Ruahine Albert, co-founder and CEO of Waikato Women’s Refuge says White Ribbon Day is a powerful way of recognising men’s roles in preventing domestic abuse.
“White Ribbon Day encourages men to talk to other men about violence towards women, and to take a stand against it,” she says. “It’s about saying to your friends, whānau and the community that violence towards women is never OK, and that we can change it by leading by example and promoting non-violent behaviour and attitudes.”
Each year, Waikato Women’s Refuge helps more than 4000 women in Waikato escape violent and abusive relationships. The refuge’s crisis service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing advice and support to women and children. Their safe houses around the region accommodate around 240 women and children a week.
Florist Ilene has been selling flowers in Hamilton for more than 60 years. Owner Marie Fowler says she’s getting involved with White Ribbon Day to help the thousands of women each year who are victims of domestic violence.
“I think it’s important to support your community,” she says. “Violence against women is often overlooked by a lot of people, so I hope this raises awareness of the importance of helping out where we can.”
Waikato florists supporting White Ribbon Day:
Florist Ilene, 129 Commerce Street, Hamilton (floristilene.co.nz)
Fiori Flowers, 35 Western Street, Matamata (fioriflowers.co.nz)
Forget Me Not Florist, 50 Arawa Street, Matamata (forgetmenot-florist.co.nz)
Little Flower Shop, 88 Duke Street, Cambridge (Littleflowershop.co.nz)
Be Inspired By 2, 63 Victoria Street, Cambridge (beinspiredby2.co.nz)
Petite Posy, 170 Bockett Avenue, Te Awamutu (petiteposy.co.nz)
The Flower Shoppe, 58 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga (otorohangaflorist.co.nz)
