Anti-domestic violence charity White Ribbon Australia announced it has entered liquidation, telling supporters the decision was made over concerns for “the organisation’s future sustainability.”
The Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission states White Ribbon Australia took just over $6 million in income during its last reporting period, but spent $6.9 million in the same timeframe.
White Ribbon Australia was responsible for White Ribbon Day nationally, an annual initiative it hailed as “a day to bring awareness to the issue and encourage Australians to stand up, speak out and act” against men’s violence against women.
The next White Ribbon Day is scheduled for Friday November 22. The organisation encouraged supporters to continue with their scheduled activities, but White Ribbon Australia’s involvement with the upcoming event is unclear.
Despite its advocacy for the end of violence against women, White Ribbon Australia faced intense criticism last year when it moved to retract its statement in support of women’s reproductive rights. That position was eventually reversed.
White Ribbon also faced controversy for focusing on male ambassadors in its marketing material.
One service provider for a separate women’s charity claimed “White Ribbon tends to allow men to mark themselves as allies by merely wearing a ribbon and posting a selfie on social media.”
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