A 'white ribbon campaign' set to be launched on Sunday plans to place men in the heart of a campaign to address violence against women.

"Men have been part of the problem for too long. The White Ribbon Campaign believes that man can and must be part of the solution," said campaign organisers.

Jointly organised by women's NGO All Women's Action Society and citizen's initiative Man's Action Network Against Violence, the campaign aims to drive home the point that men can no longer keep silent on the issue.

Speak out collectively

Wearing a white ribbon signals a personal pledge not to commit to violence, not to condone violence, and not to remain silent. The white ribbon campaign is currently held in over 30 countries.

"At this very moment as you are reading this...women and young girls in the homes, in their work place, in public places are being harassed, sexually assaulted, battered and raped.

"For too long the voices of men have been silent. Men must now collectively speak out against violence against women," the groups said in a statement.

"Wearing the white ribbon provokes discussion, debate, soul-searching among the men around us. The white ribbon is a catalyst for change."

The groups hope to garner enough public support and momentum to bring about legislative change. Comprehensive laws, they said, is necessary to secure women's safety in schools and the work place.