Bananas might wear pyjamas, but in Cairns giant jelly babies are now wearing white ribbons – to highlight the campaign to stop violence against women.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt and several well-known local identities, today enlisted the support of giant jelly babies to promote the concerted effort worldwide to eliminate violence against women.

“Violence against women is one of society’s greatest scourges, directly affecting many Queenslanders,” Mr Pitt said at the state launch of White Ribbon Day in Cairns.

“White Ribbon Day (Saturday 25 November) is a great way for people to send a strong personal and public message that violence against women is unacceptable.

“Wearing the ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone, nor remain silent about violence towards women.”

Cairns’ Centre of Contemporary Art offered the use of their giant jelly babies to highlight the need to stop violence against women. Local identities also took part.

“I support any initiative that turns the spotlight on this very significant problem and attempts to change the attitudes that perpetuate it,” Mr Pitt said.

“I urge all Queenslanders to support White Ribbon Day and wear their white ribbons to proclaim their support for an end to violence against women.”

The $2 ribbons are being distributed by CEO Challenge, a non-profit organisation that partners the business sector with agencies providing support services to abused women and children.

White Ribbon Day was first introduced in Canada in 1991 after the shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal. The worldwide event is supported be UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) and Amnesty International.

Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government funded a range of services that supported people affected by domestic and family violence, mainly women and children.

“This year, we used Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to target the mostly male perpetrators,” he said.

“White Ribbon Day also focuses on men and provides a great opportunity for every Queensland man to take a stand against violence.”