Holyrood Debate Proposes 16 Actions for Male MSPs
Amid the annual 16 Days of Activism on the issue, Graeme has highlighted the role of all men in addressing gender-based violence.
Earlier this year, he became an Angus Ambassador for the White Ribbon Campaign, which focuses on men speaking out on misogyny and violence against women. He has said that, to tackle the problem globally and locally, there needs to be a concerted effort all year round by men to challenge the behaviour of others, educate younger men and change societal attitudes.
This comes after a Wednesday 29th November debate in the Scottish Parliament marked the 16 Days, with MSPs urged to commit to 16 Actions that can help end violence against women and girls.
Aimed primarily at male parliamentarians, but also designed for all MSPs to engage with, the 16 actions encourage elected members and other community representatives to take forward and work towards these goals for the 12 months leading up to next year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
The list of 16 actions were created in collaboration with specialist and expert organisations such as White Ribbon Scotland and Zero Tolerance. They include proactively and reactively condemning and challenging behaviours and attitudes which contribute to violence, and seeking out opportunities, with local and national organisations who support those affected, to hear the accounts of survivors.
UN analysis shows that one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner.
Despite the majority not being perpetrators at all, all men and boys have a role to play in helping to end gender-based violence – and that starts with calling out the everyday misogynistic attitudes and harassment that pave the road to such violence.
GRAEME
Elected representatives – male ones especially – have a particular role in highlighting the issue, and the 16 Days of Activism provides renewed impetus each year to root this out of our culture and society.
The SNP Scottish Government has also made welcome progress on delivering its Equally Safe strategy and strengthening laws to support victims, but year-round grassroots efforts are of critical importance.
It is wholly unacceptable that so many women here in Scotland and globally continue to suffer gender-based violence, and it is the mission of White Ribbon and others to get men generally doing more to tackle the scourge and change this reality.
These 16 Commitments for the 16 Days underscore the crucial role of men advocating for the eradication of violence against women and girls. Gender-Based Violence is deeply ingrained in our society, and these commitments outline fundamental steps applicable across various public domains, including schools, universities, and local communities.
REBEKAH CHEUNG, PROJECT COORDINATOR OF WHITE RIBBON SCOTLAND
Yet, none of these strides would be possible without top-down support. We believe that such action from parliamentarians, their teams and others can help serve as a catalyst for sustainable change.
We know ending men’s violence against women and girls is possible. MSPs can lead in setting the foundation for a gender equal Scotland free from this violence with simple actions.
RACHEL ADAMSON, CO-DIRECTOR OF ZERO TOLERANCE
Gender-based violence doesn’t just happen during the 16 Days of Activism, work to end it shouldn’t either – throughout the year, talk about gender equality, listen to experts, and ask ‘how will this work affect women and girls?
