The annual White Ribbon 16 Days of Action campaign gets under way on Friday – the initiative which promotes an end to Violence Against Women.

The White Ribbon campaign is a worldwide movement which directly addresses men - so they understand the scale of the problem, and become part of the solution.

Men and boys have a crucial role to play in creating a culture where male violence, abuse and harassment against women and girls are simply seen as unacceptable.

It gives special focus to educating and mentoring young men about issues such as violence and gender equality.

Men and boys are encouraged to wear white ribbons as a symbol of their opposition to violence against women.

The campaign is also supported by organisations such as NHS Ayrshire and Arran, North Ayrshire Women’s Aid, the Police and North Ayrshire Child Protection Committee, North Ayrshire Council and the Community Planning Partnership.

The campaign in North Ayrshire gets under way on November 24 with a special conference in Fullarton Connexions, Irvine, highlighting the issue of stalking and how to combat it.

The launch will be followed by a calendar of events and initiatives which will be delivered across North Ayrshire on each day of the campaign, giving local people the opportunity to get involved and sign “The Pledge”.

Some of the events organised include a young people’s event at Ayrshire College and a special awareness-raising event involving secondary school pupils at Greenwood Conference Centre.

The campaign will culminate with the annual ‘Reclaim the Night’ walk from Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre to Bridgegate on Thursday, December 7.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting this campaign and sending out the strong message that violence against women will never be tolerated.”