Thought For The Day – Friday November 25th 2022

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Today is the United Nations Day for The Elimination Of Violence Against Women and Girls.

The motto of this day is “Orange The World”, with orange representing a brighter future for women and girls.     

Sex and gender-based violence can be physical, psychological, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic, environmental and virtual.   It involves abuse, dehumanization, exploitation, harassment, hate,  misogyny, objectification  and disrespect.   

In a 2021 UN UK survey, 97% of women between 18-24 said they have been sexually harassed. 

Globally, 1 in 3 women have been abused, report the United Nations.  Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member, state the UN.

Women have massively suffered from the brutal invasion of Ukraine. 

Earlier this week, the Iran men’s football team took a stand against sex and gender-based violence and discrimination.  

It is essential that we all continue to be respectful, aware and anti-sexist to all in our thoughts,  words and actions  whether that be in school, at home, at work, in the wider community, in social situations, in social and legal and consensual and loving personal relationships,  in all respectful, legal and appropriate on-line activity.   

It also means not being bystanders when wrong things are said and done by others.  

It is not for those who suffer to fix a problem they have not caused.  We listen, learn, love and lead. The inclusive, empathetic and respectful team is the better team. 

Every positive action makes a positive difference. Every negative or apathetic response contributes to the problem.   

A vital part of this is standing against all discriminatory, prejudicial and wrong sexual, gender and identity stereotyping of any person, sex,  gender or sexuality.  Anyone can suffer disrespect and disregard.  All people should feel able to be who they are and who they appropriately want to be. No person should ever feel unfairly and disrespectfully judged because of who they are.  Individual situations matter precisely because everyone matters.  An anti-sexist society values, includes and benefits everyone. 

We all have a part to play and we do not walk on by. 

Women are leaders and inspirers at TBSHS and beyond.