18/09/2026
𝐌𝐄𝐍: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮
For decades, women have been told how to stay safe. Perhaps it's time we asked a different question: What are men doing to make women safer?
What if we stopped asking women to live smaller lives and rather started asking men to take greater responsibility?
Men, here are 10 things you can do to help prevent violence against women and girls 👇
1️⃣ Respect her no.
It doesn't mean persuade her, pressure her, guilt her, keep asking or wait until she gives in. No means no and no explanation is required.
2️⃣ Teach young boys differently.
Your sons, little brothers, cousins and friends are watching you. Show them that being a man means respecting, protecting and not hurting women. Show them that rejection isn't humiliation, it’s a part of life, that anger isn't an excuse for violence and that women are not possessions.
3️⃣ Have the courage to call out your friends.
Don't laugh along with sexist, misogynistic or r**e jokes. Don't normalise conversations that objectify or degrade women.
4️⃣ Don't ignore the warning signs.
Jealousy, possessiveness, controlling behaviour, intimidation, stalking and threats aren't expressions of love. They're red flags.
5️⃣ Intervene.
If you see a woman or child being harassed, threatened or abused, don't simply stand by. Step in safely, interrupt what's happening, check on her, get help or contact the appropriate authorities.
6️⃣ Learn to manage your own anger.
Being hurt, jealous, rejected or angry never gives you permission to frighten, threaten or hurt another person. Learn to control your anger without violence. Anger is normal, violence is a choice. If you feel yourself get heated, walk away, breathe or talk to someone.
7️⃣ Getting help is strength, not weakness.
If you struggle with managing your anger and jealousy, have violent thoughts towards women or children, or drinking causes you to become abusive, talk to a professional.
8️⃣ Never victim shame or victim blame.
The responsibility belongs to the person who chose to harm her. Always. What she wore, how much she drank, where she went, who she trusted, why she stayed and what she said is irrelevant. None of these things make violence her fault.
9️⃣ Believe women when they tell you they're afraid.
If a woman or girl says she feels unsafe with a man, listen and believe her. Don't make excuses for your friend, brother, colleague or family member because you “know the real him.” Don't look away.
🔟 Stop asking women what they are doing to keep safe.
Ask men what they are doing to make women safe. Support accountability. Femicide continues because people stay silent. Women should not have to organise their entire lives around the possibility of being harmed.
❌ The responsibility for ending violence against women cannot continue to fall on women ❌