Violence against women and girls is a national emergency

Today on White Ribbon Day (25 November), as our feeds spotlight Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), we recognise the International Day for its elimination - a day that carries personal importance for me.

But let’s be clear: posts don’t protect women. Action does.

At today’s Safer Business Network (SBN) event, I saw real action - a dedicated VAWG training module designed to educate, prevent, intervene, and stop violence. Kudos to Andrew MacAlpine, Eren Bessim, SBN team, Hannah Sutcliffe and the MOONHUB team for this collaboration.

This is what every organisation should be implementing and in the private security sector, we have a critical role.

VAWG could impact any of the 50,000 women working on our frontline; we see the behaviour others miss and we have the power to stop it.

At International Professional Security Association (IPSA), we’re not waiting for change. We’re delivering it:

• I am part of the UN Women UK community and CSW69

• White Ribbon UK Accredited

• Stamp Out Spiking Member

• Ask For Angela Ambassador

• Appointed Payzee Mahmod (Helped change the law to raise the marriage age from 16 to 18) as IPSA Patron

• EIDA Member

• True Honour Ambassador

• We Thrive Consulting Ltd, supporting domestic abuse charity

• Hosting and sponsoring the Sharifa Ibrahim Foundation - VAWG event

Enough talk. Enough excuses, VAWG is a national emergency and silence is not an option.

Thank you Ella Cullen for being part of my day and RELLEN, our newest corporate partner have just signed up to become a EIDA member! Now that's action; if you lead, act. if you manage, protect. If you’re on the frontline, step in - every woman deserves safety and every sector must take responsibility.