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Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews AM will mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and White Ribbon Day at three events.

The Minister, who is a White Ribbon Ambassador, will meet White Watch at Ely Fire Station.

He will join the on-duty officers to celebrate the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service's success in becoming the first FRS in the UK to become an accredited White Ribbon organisation.

He will then travel to Llandaff Cathedral to speak at the Light a Candle service, in honour of the silent victims of domestic abuse.

Following the service, the Minister will attend and address guests at the White Ribbon Day event in the Senedd.

The Minister will continue to raise awareness of violence against women when he addresses Assembly Members during the afternoon's Plenary. He will make a statement on the progress being made in tackling domestic violence, and will hold a debate on the Gender-Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill.

Leighton Andrews said:

"These events are important steps towards ending the silence surrounding domestic abuse and violence against women.

"All too often these insidious crimes are perpetrated behind closed doors, and frequently there is more than one victim. Friends and family are affected, and children in homes where violence is a way of life also suffer deeply.

"It is unacceptable that women across the UK experience rape, domestic abuse, forced marriage, sexual exploitation or other forms of violence every single day. It is vital we engage with men to challenge and prevent the attitudes which perpetuate it.

"The Light a Candle service makes a very public stand against violence and abuse.  Most importantly it rightly puts the victims of these crimes as our focus.

"When male-dominated organisations like the Fire Service make a commitment to becoming White Ribbon ambassadors, it sends out a strong message of solidarity. The fact South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is the first organisation of its kind in the UK to gain this accreditation shows the commitment we are making in Wales towards ending domestic violence, and I congratulate all involved in earning the White Ribbon status.

"The work of the White Ribbon Campaign UK is vital in emphasising everyone has a duty to speak out against domestic abuse and violence against women and to act if they have any concerns."