Spokesperson for the Inverell Anti-violence Committee, Katie Wright said it was the first time a ball would be held in Inverell to mark White Ribbon Day, which is held annually on November 25.

The ball is on the previous Saturday evening, November 21, at the Inverell RSM Club.

Money raised from the ball will go towards the establishment of a proposed youth centre/PCYC in Inverell.

“It’s a formal event and it will be a good night out for a good cause,” Katie said.

In 2005 Amnesty International began a campaign for a National Plan of Action to eliminate violence against women. Almost 200 organisations across Australia endorsed their call and 30,000 people signed a petition.

The Federal Government has committed to developing a National Plan by the end of next year.

White Ribbon Day was created by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man’s massacre of 14 women in Montreal.

They began the White Ribbon Campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women.

Ten years ago, the United Nations General Assembly declared November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) and the White Ribbon has become the symbol for the day each year.

The local ball is being held to celebrate the progress that has been made in changing attitudes towards women.

Tickets for the ball are $50 and are available from the RSM Club until November 18.