A campaign to end violence against women and girls got off to a running start Wednesday evening, as White Ribbon Yukon held its inaugural annual general meeting

The event, spearheaded by men in the territory, validated more than two years of preliminary work and campaigns to promote respectful relationships and end silence around sexism and physical abuse.

"I think men have an enormous amount of influence over other men, and along with that influence comes a responsibility to teach and educate and perpetuate proper behaviour,” said co-founder Scott Carlson.

"I think that there are narratives of masculinity that involve men always having to be in control, men taking positions of dominance and men really using violence or their physicality as a means of asserting control.”

Carlson hopes to counter that narrative with campaigns underway this week in all Whitehorse high schools as well as at Yukon College, Dawson City and Watson Lake.

About 20 volunteers helped raise several hundred dollars and have distributed more 1,200 ribbons so far this week in tandem with a poster campaign for the third annual White Ribbon Yukon initiative.

Carlson noted ideas of manhood that write off emotional expression and put a premium on stoicism not only contribute to "pro-violence attitudes, but it's also damaging to men and ultimately dehumanizing to be forced to curtail those feelings.”

"Part of that reverse stereotype, of course, is women as being submissive and controlled,” added co-founder and board member Steve Roddick.

"There's a real interplay between these notions ... and societal structures of sexism and patriarchy.”

The gathering took place at the Whitehorse branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, where framed photos of Victoria Cross recipients — the embodiment of stoic heroism — line the walls. Decorative plates depict soldiers in battle on land and at sea.

Roddick seemed to suggest that White Ribbon Yukon seeks to recalibrate older notions of male responsibility, rather than rejecting them.

"Wearing the ribbon is a pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls, and we really do think that men need to play a stronger role in this issue,” he said earlier this week at Monday evening's Take Back the Night event, a march against violence and sexism.

The event kicked off the 12 Days to End Violence campaign, which will wrap up Dec. 6 with the National Day for the Action and Remembrance of Violence Against Women ceremony.

That campaign comes in the wake of controversy arising from university students' associations' "rape chants” in September and disheartening statistics around women and violence.

The Native Women's Association of Canada has said it has documented more than 600 cases of murdered and missing women since 2005, a number the RCMP cannot confirm.

In 2009, women in the Yukon and aboriginal women nationwide were almost three times more likely than non-aboriginal women to report having been a victim of a violent crime, according to Statistics Canada.

The bulk of these incidents occurred among women under 35.

Aboriginal women are also more likely to experience forms of extreme violence or mistreatment than non-aboriginal women.

Steve Reed, a teacher at Elijah Smith Elementary School, spoke to the gathering Wednesday.

He discussed the boys' after-school group he has led for eight years: "It's three-quarters fun and one-quarter giving back to the community.”

The students shovel seniors' driveways, write cards to teachers and chop wood as well as play games and talk about issues that might not be aired in the classroom.

Reed said his male students are surprisingly receptive to discussing problems around violence, women and personal responsibility.

Ketsia Houde, co-ordinator of the Women's Coalition for Sharing Common Ground, said the campaign's success is "a dream coming true.”

White Ribbon Yukon, with its roots around Roddick's kitchen table, achieved non-profit status earlier this year.

Roddick and Carlson admitted they were initially skeptical about whether a White Ribbon campaign could find its legs in the Yukon.

"Would men really step forward to speak out against men's violence, and in support of gender equality?” Carlson asked.

"Over the last two years, starting small and building up to a crescendo tonight, we've heard the answer to that question, and it's a resounding yes....

"Yes, men will work in partnership with women; yes, men will speak together with one voice saying that our future holds no violence.”

Roddick added that White Ribbon Yukon received tireless support from women's groups over the past two years.

Josh Regnier, a board member and Yukon College's student engagement coordinator, officiated the event. He also helped close it out with a performance by prominent Whitehorse band The Brass Knuckle Society.

Mayor Dan Curtis, on hand for the meeting, said he was "incredibly delighted” with the campaign's ongoing efforts.

In October, Yukon MP Ryan Leef called for a national inquiry into murdered and missing women – something Prime Minister Stephen Harper has ruled out.

A report from a parliamentary committee examining the issue is due in February 2014.