It makes me both sad and angry that this day is even necessary, but it makes it clear that no matter how far we think we have come in the struggle for gender equality, we still have a long way to go!

Violence against women persist to be a problem all over the globe. Women are killed on a daily basis in every corner of the world, many of them by their partners. Many more are abused and raped, married off even before they reach puberty, or sex-trafficed. Even more are harassed on the streets, at work, in schools, and when going out for a drink.

We take all sorts of precautions, and still we hardly ever feel safe. I am so sick and tired of it!

It’s not all men, we all know that. But every good man that doesn’t put a stop to his friend’s sexist comments, misogynistic talk and behaviour, becomes part of the problem. Good men’s silence can be interpreted as accepting what is being said and done.

Violence against women will never stop as long as the good men are turning a blind eye. Be the one who says out loud «I don’t tolerate this kind of bullshit or behaviour», instead of looking embarrassed or laughing with the rest not to dampen the «good mood». We know that you are out there, and we need you on our side! Each time you stay silent, that misogynistic friend gets a bit bolder. And one day he crosses the line completely, and ruins a woman’s life forever.

Don’t stay silent, you can mean the difference between life and death of a woman.