ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - TAKE YOUR PLEDGE

‘One million men’ to promise an end to violence against women

 

Friday March 08, International Women’s Day, the actor Patrick Stewart, best known for his roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “X-men”, stood in the center of the Diplomat Ballroom at the UN Hotel in New York to advocate and call for the end of violence against women. The event was attended by about 200 actors, activists, politicians, filmmakers and musicians.

He pounded his fist against the podium and with each thump he counted ("One ... two ... three ...") until he got to nine.

"Every nine seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States," Stewart said.

Serving as host for the launch of "Ring The Bell," a global campaign calling on one million men to make one million "concrete, actionable promises" to end violence against women.

"Violence against women is the single greatest human rights violation of our generation," Stewart said.

"This is a call to action—not an act that will make things better in six months or a year's time," he continued. "This is action that might save a life today, or tonight, or tomorrow."

Patrick also told attendees his personal history with violence against women as a 5-year-old child at home; he witnessed the repeated violence his mother had to endure. He proceeded to tell attendees:

"I became an expert on when to open the door and throw myself between my father's fist and my mother's body," Stewart said.

He said his father "was unable to control his emotions—and his hands."

"My mother did not do anything to provoke my father," Stewart added. "But even if she did, violence is not the answer."

Read more and pledge:

 

One million men. One million promises. 

 End violence against women.

 

Credits:

Photo and logo: breakthrough.tv