This week we started with the celebration of #internationalwomensday and the theme, #choosetochallenge. We draw to the end of the week worrying about the safety of girls.
This week sadly, the question of respect, or lack of, is again centred around women. With all the education available to boys, why can a woman not feel safe to walk home on her own? The focus of the debate is again on women's behaviour and to protect themselves. It is men's behaviour we need to address.
As a mother of sons, the most important lesson I can teach them is to respect from an early age. I was on the BBC Scotland phone in this morning talking with Stephen Jardine on the topic - 'What do men need to do to help women?' (from 34 mins 5 secs https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000szv4) about the importance of early intervention and respect. Delighted to hear a caller discuss Mentors in Violence Scotland programme that is run throughout schools across Scotland. More of this education needs to take place.