Cook Islands will mark the 30th anniversary of the White Ribbon Campaign this Friday with a motorbike rally.

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) was formed by a group of men in Ontario, Canada, in November 1991, as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students in 1989.

It was a combined effort to raise awareness about the frequent occurrence of male violence against women, with the ribbon symbolising “the idea of men giving up their arms”.

On Friday this week, the White Ribbon campaign will kickstart with a motorbike rally leading off from Punanga Nui Market at 2pm.

Cook Islands Police Service advised as part of this week’s campaign that all motorists and the general public should be aware of the motorbike rally planned for Friday.

The slow cruise will proceed through town along Marine Drive, through the Avarua roundabout up to TEM Store Tupapa, and down to Victoria Park.

Classic and new cruiser motorbikes are invited to be part of the rally with a request for riders to wear black, orange, and white – the White Ribbon colours.

“The White Ribbon campaign promotes an end to all domestic violence, particularly against women and children, by raising awareness and calling for community action to stop the abuse,” police stated.

Last year’s White Ribbon campaign, commemorated annually, also celebrated the same cause, celebrating peace, saying no to violence, domestic abuse, and child abuse and exploitation.