The Ulster Orchestra, Women’s Aid ABCLN and Northern Ireland Opera have launched
White Ribbon, a collaborative anthem co-written by pianist Ruth McGinley and songwriter Duke Special, reflecting the voices and experience of women affected by domestic abuse. The single is available for purchase and download, as well as across all streaming services - visit
https://ffm.to/whiteribbon or
Bandcamp to download the song.
White Ribbon is a global movement to end male violence against women and the ‘White Ribbon’ anthem has been commissioned by Northern Ireland Opera, working jointly with the Ulster Orchestra and Women’s Aid ABCLN, in response to the devastating impact of domestic abuse witnessed at this time.
The anthem has received unanimous recognition and support from the likes of UTV Live, Sunday Life, Newsletter and BBC Radio Ulster.
Ruth’s own personal experience of domestic abuse can be felt in its powerful and uplifting words and these are amplified by the ‘anthemic’ voices of Jolene and Northern Ireland Opera's Associate Artists.
With over 8,000 incidents of domestic abuse reported to the PSNI during lockdown, from April – June 2020, and five domestic homicides in the last year, we believe staying silent on this issue is not an option. Ruth McGinley
The White Ribbon campaign was formed in 1991 by male students in Canada in response to the brutal massacre of 14 female students. In ‘White Ribbon 30 Years’, its goal remains resolute to send out the message that male violence against women, in all its forms, is unacceptable.Women’s Aid ABCLN encourages groups and individuals across Northern Ireland to take action by signing the White Ribbon Charter, wearing the White Ribbon pin and making the personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
We would like to see it ‘sung from the terraces’, by pop up choirs and in schools and we arecalling on bands and musicians of all genres to take the ‘White Ribbon’ anthem to the next level. Tahnee McCorry (White Ribbon Co-ordinator)
For more information please contact Arlene Creighton, Communications Manager at Women’sAid ABCLN by emailing
[email protected] or call 07395 796572.