The All Women's Action Society (Awam) will launch its fourth 'white ribbon' campaign to create awareness over the issue of domestic violence.

It said 20-50 percent of women around the world were victims of domestic violence while according to the police, Malaysia recorded a total of 3,093 domestic violence cases last year.

Speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, Awam president Judith Loh-Koh said the campaign will kick off at the 1 Utama shopping mall on Nov 25.

According to her, the campaign was initiated by Malaysian men in 1985 with the theme 'break the silence'. * [correction below]

She said Awam is cooperating with the Man's Action Network (Man.V) in the latest leg of the campaign.

Man. V coordinator David Anthony, who was also at the press conference, said the campaign's main target are the men.

Personal pledges

"The main objective is to get men to make personal pledges to stop violence against women," he said, adding that it was important for men to promote gender equality.

He said men should make a personal pledge not to condone acts of violence, not to make excuses for perpetrators of violence, not to remain silent and to act to end violence.

Meanwhile, Loh-Koh said t is important for men to recognise that "women are to be respected and not assaulted."

She said the most effective way to train the younger generation about the importance to respect women is to start training them at home.

Correction: Clarification -White Ribbon Campaign