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Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) is promoting the “White Ribbon Campaign” in a stand against “Violence against Women”, to raise public awareness.
To this end, MPI held a White Ribbon launching ceremony on 3 November, also in memory of former student Irene Chung who was murdered in Taiwan with the hope that justice will be done.
No more silence
Principal Hii King Kai said in an interview that after the launching ceremony, many people began to support the campaign, even changing their profile pictures on social media to a picture of the White Ribbon Campaign.
Those present at the ceremony included board members of MPI, teachers, student representatives, members of the alumni association, the counselling teacher from Catholic High School, and international advisor Thomas Tieng Mee Tung from Chang Jung Christian University.
Hii said that the White Ribbon Campaign is not a new campaign internationally, but it is rarely mentioned in our community. Yet the problem exists, because violence against women is also common around us. But not many people are willing to voice out against it. “We hope to speak out for this and raise public awareness. We will no longer remain silent.”
He said that the Irene Chung’s tragedy is only the tip of the iceberg. Many more incidents happen at home. Therefore in this matter, he believes men need to be educated to respect women. A person should not be able to destroy an entire family and cause irreparable harm to others.
“We hope that through the White Ribbon Campaign, we will be able to play an important role in educating boys to respect the other gender. Of course, the awareness to respect women cannot rely solely on school, we also need family education.”
More emphasis on campus safety
Besides that, MPI is also placing more emphasis on campus safety, to raise students’ awareness of danger and learn how to protect themselves.
“I admit that the Irene Chung tragedy is an opportunity for us to promote the White Ribbon Campaign, so that we begin to become more aware. We intend to make this campaign a long-term activity, rather than a one-off event,” added Hii.
In conjunction with the launching ceremony, the faculty of MPI wouldwear white ribbons until 20 December, which was also Irene Chung’s birthday. A public memorial service was held on 22 November at Wei Kuok Hall.
“In the future, we plan to host various related awareness activities, including self-defence lectures and training sessions, etc,” Principal Hiiannounced.