Why we should all pay attention to White Ribbon Day
By Eleanor Ross on Monday, 25 November 2024
A clip from the Graham Norton show recently went viral, when actress Saoirse Ronan reminded the rest of the male panel of the lengths women need to go to feel safe. Met with applause from the audience, Ronan has been widely praised since the clip aired for accurately and neatly reminding us all of the threat that women face on a daily basis.
While the men on the panel have also come out to plaud Ronan, it’s abundantly clear from their stunned silence at the time that this isn’t an issue they need to think about regularly. Speaking about violence against women can be uncomfortable, no matter the setting. And no matter how disappointing it is that this is still a concern in 2024, any girl or woman will tell you just how needed it still is. Just as Saoirse Ronan did.
The UN designates the 25th November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It marks the first of 16 days of action to end male violence against women. With so much abuse towards women happening behind closed doors and going unreported it can be easy to convince ourselves that this is not an issue that impacts us or our loved ones.
But the reality is that one in three women will be subjected to physical or sexual violence within their lifetime. That’s an estimated 736 million women globally. And the majority won’t seek help or report it. Less than 40% of women who experience violence will seek help, and less than 10% will go to the police. Black women, trans women, and disabled women are at especially high risk. And climate change, economic crises, and global conflicts are only fuelling and exacerbating the problem.
This year’s election in the US was a further reminder of how very real this issue is. With women’s reproductive rights on the ballot in many states, the previous Trump administration saw delayed authorisation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act that means reduced federal support and access to healthcare services that are crucial for women, including mental health support and services for survivors of violence. In addition, the behaviour of some of Trump’s supporters may embolden misogynistic attitudes that can create a hostile environment for women both online and offline.
White Ribbon Day acts to remind us of the scale of the issue, but also challenges us to consider the root causes behind this violence. While we may not have witnessed violence against women, we’ve all likely seen and heard problematic language and attitudes. It is up to all of us, regardless of gender, to stand against violence against women, and to fight against the outdated and harmful gender norms - including attitudes towards masculinity - that open the door to misogyny.
For anyone that is, or knows someone who is facing abuse, whether emotional, physical or financial or simply wants to educate themselves further on this issue, there are resources and support available, which we have listed below:
End Violence Against Women Coalition
National Domestic Abuse Hotline - 0808 2000 247
