Today (25 November) marks the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, which is known as White Ribbon Day in the UK. 

The Problem  

Every day in this country and across the world, acts of violence are committed against women and girls*. According to the UN, this type of violence remains one of the most widespread, pervasive and devastating human rights violations in our world today. This issue is further compounded due to being largely unreported because of stigma and impunity.  

The UN estimates that almost 1 in 3 women have been subjected to some form of gender-based violence at some point in their lives, with this figure not inclusive of sexual harassment. Gender based violence is rooted in harmful and long-established systems, attitudes and behaviours around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and violence of this nature. 

Whilst gender-based violence can happen to anyone, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable, for example those who: are younger or older, identify as LGBTQ+, are migrants or refugees, are from underprivileged communities, are living with disabilities, and those who are from ethnic minorities. 

The Solutions 

The MAIA Network condemns violence against women in all its forms and stands steadfast with others in addressing this issue and its root causes. We are promoting two methods of tackling this issue, in line with the White Ribbon organisation and in the spirit of allyship: 

1. Engaging with men (and allies) and encouraging them to make the White Ribbon Promise  

2. Encouraging everyone to cultivate and embody the ‘11 traits’ , which have been selected by men and boys as the traits they think are most important when ending violence against women and girls 

Across our campuses and as a society we have a collective responsibility to ensure safety for all women in our communities. Through allyship and decisive action, it is our hope that we can make women feel safe no matter who they are or where they are. 

Emily Hansell (she/her) 

Allyship and Advocacy Champion for MAIA 

* In this blog, we use ‘women’ to refer to all those who identify as women. We acknowledge that discriminatory violence is not an issue faced only by women and condemn all discrimination and violence.