On Saturday 2 November, 2024, actress Saoirse Ronan made a powerful statement about the gender divide in personal safety on the popular TV talk show, The Graham Norton Show.
While fellow guests Eddie Redmayne, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and host Graham Norton joked about using a phone for self-defence, Ronan interjected with a sobering reminder: “That’s what girls have to think about all the time.” Her words were met with a poignant silence and applause from the audience.
Ronan’s statement shed light on the ongoing work of White Ribbon UK, a leading charity that promotes men’s allyship to women and addresses the root causes of men’s violence against women and girls.
As November marks White Ribbon Month, culminating in White Ribbon Day on 25th November, the organization is emphasizing the theme, ‘It Starts with Men’. This theme aims to highlight men as changemakers in the fight against gender-based violence. White Ribbon UK encourages all men to actively listen to women’s experiences and reflect on how they can prevent violence against women and girls.
“We want men to give women space and respect when they are out in public places, and also when they are speaking,” says a representative from White Ribbon UK. “It’s important for men to ask women about their experiences and consider how their actions and attitudes can make a difference and create a safer environment for women.”
The charity also urges men to have open and honest conversations with their male friends about the issue, and to be positive influencers in their communities.
“Through consistent self-reflection and positive changes in behavior and attitudes, we can work towards a future where women are truly equal and don’t have to constantly assess their safety,” the representative adds. “A time where a mobile phone is just a means of communication, rather than a tool for self-defence.”
For more information about White Ribbon Day and how to get involved, please visit their website.
About White Ribbon UK:
White Ribbon UK is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls. Their mission is to address the root causes of gender-based violence by challenging harmful and dominant masculine norms. The organization strives to change long-established attitudes, behaviors, and systems that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.