16-point plan for meaningful progress to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Another year with over 100 women and girls lost to male violence, and the cycle of empty statements continues. When will we eliminate violence against women and girls?

The annual chorus of concern during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and International Women’s Day feels hollow, as domestic abuse services remain grossly underfunded. 

Bureaucratic, hyper-localised funding models hinder impactful national action, while defunding women’s community support weakens their ability to escape violent relationships.

To truly create change, decisive, systemic actions are required by the Government and other institutions. This 16-point plan outlines practical steps for meaningful progress:

  1. National Investment: Establish a cross-departmental fund for community-led women’s hubs and collaborations.
  2. Direct Funding: Use organisations like Women’s Aid to distribute national funds to frontline services.
  3. Cultural Change Campaign: Launch a sustained national effort to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).
  4. Social Media Accountability: Sanction platforms that fail to remove content promoting violence.
  5. Zero Tolerance in Leadership: Suspend public officials accused of VAWG pending investigations.
  6. Workplace Safeguards: Mandate a “Safer Women Charter” for all employers, with training under health and safety laws.
  7. Sporting Ban: Prohibit individuals convicted of VAWG from participating in or attending sports events.
  8. Sports Campaigns: Encourage sports organisations with demonstrable social media presence to invest in anti-VAWG awareness campaigns.
  9. Health Sector Action: Treat VAWG as a public health crisis, with transparent funding for domestic abuse services.
  10. Housing Sanctions: Empower housing providers to sanction offenders of VAWG.
  11. Education Reform: Make training to tackle the root causes of VAWG such as misogyny and consent mandatory in all schools and colleges.
  12. Victim Support: Prioritise victim support funding over that of the abusers.
  13. Procurement Conditions: Link public contracts to proven investment in VAWG awareness and culture change.
  14. Data Expansion: Fund the Femicide Census and enhance VAWG data collection by public bodies.
  15. Police Accountability: Conduct independent studies on women’s experiences with law enforcement.
  16. Public Inquiry: Launch a comprehensive public inquiry into #VAWG to expose institutional failings and misogyny.

This plan demands urgent implementation to replace platitudes with impactful action. We call upon the Government, businesses, and individuals to join us in implementing this 16-point plan

#NoExcuses #16DaysOfActivism

The Women’s Organisation Charity Leaders, CEO Maggie O’Carroll, Chair Pat Shea-Halson, and Chair Sue Oshikanlu. Download the 16 step plan here.