Recently, I attended a special sneak preview, presented for Safe House Center in Ann Arbor, for a movie titled “Equal Means Equal” (you can watch a trailer for the movie HERE). In that event, the panel encouraged everyone to think about what they could do to stop violence against women. So today I ask myself this question, and ask you to consider the same:
What can we do as leaders to stop the violence against women?
I begin with my list, and ask you to share with me your ideas by adding them in the comments section below.
- Regarding equal rights, review your payroll and see if women are being paid equally to men, and if not consider ways to equalize the pay scale. Remember that equal pay for women is good for your business.
- Remember that violence against women has to do with equal rights for women (remember, the Equal Rights for Women Amendment to the constitution has yet to be passed).
- Talk to your children about violence against women. If you have sons, it’s not enough to create positive role models, it’s also important to talk to them about why violence against women is so wrong.
- Rather than shield your children from news stories about violence against women, talk about the stories with them and help them understand why certain people do bad things toward women.
- Speak out when you hear negative comments about women spoken by men or women.
- Be sure that women’s groups are included in your giving policy (For example Safe House in Ann Arbor)
- If you are a man, look yourself squarely in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re doing anything that is demeaning or disrespectful toward women.
- If you know you have been disrespectful to women, talk to them about what you can do to change your behaviors and attitudes.
- Talk to your parents or extended family about whether they think things have changed in terms of society’s attitudes toward women and what they think still needs to be done.
- Educate yourself, your employees, and your family about violence against women. One resource you can use would be the University of Michigan website: stopabuse.umich.edu
Changes in society toward women will come one person at a time. If each individual does one thing on a daily basis, violence against women can be stopped.
Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.
Go to TED Talks and log in. Then search Jason Katz for his May 2013 talk on this subject.
Secondly, watch Sheryl Sandburg talk at the TED Women 2010 conference.
Third, search “women” for dozens of great talks.
There are many angles / sides to the problem and their significance varies depending on the country/culture.
I am a heterosexual male who was raised, mostly, in the 1950s USA. A very male dominated culture. But I had a wonderful mom and two sisters. Also I disliked the locker room macho male thing pretty early on. It just seemed so crude and ape like.
I had the privilege of sitting next to Dr. Pasick at the SafeHouse/Equal Means Equal event and he truly is a hero. His dedication to women, girls and justice for them should be held up as an example of how good men can (and must) engage in the world to help others. Thank you for your words and above all, your actions to help us all.
With love and gratitude,
Kamala Lopez
Thank you for your kind words Kamala. It is my pleasure to support this most important cause. If every man who cares takes action, we would make a significant impact in bringing about change.