EIGHTY young people took part in a seven-a-side rugby tournament in Abergavenny to raise awareness of the effect of violence against women.

The tournament was sponsored by Monmouthshire Council and held at Bailey Park yesterday.

The White Ribbon Campaign was created in direct support of International Day for the Eliminating Violence Against Women, officially recognised by the UN on November 25, to encourage men to actively oppose violence to women and girls by pledging their backing and wearing a white ribbon.

It is led by men who are willing to take a stand and be positive role models to other men in the community.

Seven teams aged between 16 and 19 from comprehensive schools, private schools and colleges across Gwent took part in the tournament that was backed by the Newport Gwent Dragons regional rugby team and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Other organisations that supported the tournament included Abergavenny Rugby Club, Coleg Gwent, Women’s Aid, Llamau and Gwent Police.

Male council employees wore white ribbons as part of the White Ribbon campaign which was created in support of the international day.

In Torfaen, a team from the charitable housing association, Hafan Cymru, manned a stall in Pontypool Market providing an information stand, leaflet and white ribbons.

Shoppers would also have seen an eye-catching giant white ribbon on display and a small tree.

The team also asked them to sign a pledge to support the cause on a piece of white ribbon, which was then tied onto the tree.