Anthem highlights domestic abuse

White Ribbon is a global movement to end male violence against women and the ‘White Ribbon’ anthem has been commissioned by Northern Ireland Opera, working jointly with the Ulster Orchestra and Women’s Aid ABCLN, in response to the devastating impact of domestic abuse witnessed at this time.

Ruth McGinley has worked alongside women affected by domestic abuse to create the ‘White Ribbon’ anthem. “With over 8,000 incidents of domestic abuse reported to the PSNI during lockdown, from April – June 2020, and five domestic homicides in the last year, we believe staying silent on this issue is not an option,” she said.

Ruth’s own personal experience of domestic abuse can be felt in its powerful and uplifting words, and these are amplified by the ‘anthemic’ voices of Jolene O’Hara and Northern Ireland Opera’s Associate Artists.

Cameron Menzies, Artistic Director of Northern Ireland Opera, said: “We are very proud to have had the opportunity to commission this anthem by Ruth McGinley and Duke Special for Women’s Aid ABCLN, to help highlight the global movement of the White Ribbon campaign.

“We are delighted that some of our Associate Artists will be performing this new work with Jolene O’Hara, Ruth McGinley and the Ulster Orchestra.

“We hope it will reach as wide an audience as possible to draw attention to this important campaign.”

The White Ribbon campaign was formed in 1991 by male students in Canada in response to the brutal massacre of 14 female students. In ‘White Ribbon 30 Years’ its goal remains resolute to send out the message that male violence against women, in all its forms, is unacceptable.

White Ribbon Co-ordinator, Tahnee McCorry said: “It is our hope that the anthem will strike a chord with the general public.”