Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and White Ribbon Day. Some of the content in this post is distressing.
This year’s White Ribbon Day theme is ‘We Speak Up for Change’, encouraging people, especially men, to speak up about violence against women.
According to the UN, 1 in 3 women has been harmed during their lifetime through violence either by an intimate partner or someone they were not in an intimate relationship with, such as a friend or colleague. Some women have been harmed by both.
Tragically, the UN estimates that every 10 minutes a woman or girl loses their life due to violence perpetrated by either an intimate partner or family member.
The theme for this year’s UN campaign focusses on digital violence, which is becoming more prevalent. The trend for deep fakes and digital extortion is extremely disturbing as it perpetuates harm already suffered.
Sadly, over the past 18 years I have advised on workplace sexual harassment cases involving physical violence and assault. Since October 2024, employers have a legal duty to be proactive in preventing these sorts of incidents during the course of employment.
Glass Ceilings Change Management fully supports speaking up for change too. We provide advice on allegations of this nature in work settings, as well as supporting with Serious Incident Responses, carrying out independent investigations, and training for proactive prevention.
This is not to say that men and boys are not on the receiving end of violence or abuse too because they are and it is equally wrong. Many are allies who do actively challenge violence against women and girls. Women also perpetrate violence against other women.
However, today is specifically about recognising and speaking up for change to eliminate violence against women and girls perpetrated by men and boys, and it is important to amplify these messages.
Laura Evans CEO 25th November, 2025
