“It’s true that #notallmen harm women. But do all men work to make sure their fellow men do not harm women?”
In the wake of Sarah Everard’s disappearance, many women have shared their own frustrations and fears regarding their safety on the streets.
Initially, many have challenged the victim-blaming narrative that puts the onus of protection on women, while the behaviour of men goes unchallenged.
However, a number of people also suggested that Sarah’s disappearance could have somehow been avoided if she wasn’t walking home alone. Many on Twitter also stated that only a small minority of men are a threat to women’s safety.
Soon, #notallmen began to trend in opposition.
In response to this growing narrative, Jameela Jamil challenged #notallmen on Twitter.
The actor wrote: “It’s true that #notallmen harm women. But do all men work to make sure their fellow men do not harm women? Do they interrupt troubling language and behavior in others? Do they have conversations about women’s safety/consent with their sons? Are #allmen interested in our safety?”
It’s true that #notallmen harm women. But do all men work to make sure their fellow men do not harm women? Do they interrupt troubling language and behavior in others? Do they have conversations about women’s safety/consent with their sons? Are #allmen interested in our safety?
— ❤️ Jameela Jamil ❤️ She/Her ❤️ (@jameelajamil) March 11, 2021
Jameela added: “You don’t get to exclude yourself from the wrong side unless you’re actively fighting on the right side.”
Jameela’s comments echo the sentiments of many women who feel men need to be held accountable for violence against women. Yesterday, a British politician called for a 6pm curfew for men in order to protect women.
Baroness Jones, a Green Party peer said a curfew would “make women a lot safer, and discrimination of all kinds would be lessened.”
A Reclaim These Streets vigil in honour of Sarah Everard will take place tomorrow evening in Clapham.
Ahead of the vigil, the event organisers said: “It’s wrong that the response to violence against women requires women to behave differently. In Clapham, police told women not to go out at night this week. Women are not the problem.”
