Fathers need to teach their sons to respect women by modelling that respect themselves, Ngahina Gardiner told the crowd after the White Ribbon March.
The march passed up Whanganui's Victoria Ave at midday on Friday. It was led by Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall and secondary students.
Behind them were Bornand Raised Pasifika children and their teacher, in a waka. Pupils from Whanganui City College and Rutherford Junior High School followed, and at the rear were five White Ribbon Riders on their "stallions" - large, noisy motorbikes.
Social agencies had stalls set up when the march arrived at Majestic Square, and there were several speakers.
Mr Gardiner suggested dads wash the dishes with their sons, and talk to them about showing their emotions.
Teacher Hellen Puhipuhi and Pasifika children roll along Victoria Ave in a waka for the White Ribbon March. Friday, November 24, 2017 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Bevan Conley.
"It's okay to say "I love you." It's okay to give your father a kiss and a hug. It doesn't make you any less a man or any less a boy."
It's a father's job to talk to boys about sex, he said, and not a school's job.
"It should be us to talk to our sons, about appropriate behaviour to our kotiro, to our wahine, as they get older.
