Avril has emphasized the crucial role men play in addressing and transforming attitudes surrounding gender-based violence.
With femicide becoming a pressing issue due to the rising number of cases and debates it has sparked, Avril took to social media to express her thoughts. She highlighted the importance of men becoming allies and agents of change in the fight against violence toward women.
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“I can tell you for a FACT that every woman you know has a story where they’ve felt unsafe, scared, looked at the wrong way, vulnerable, were downright followed, or much worse,” she wrote.
Avril pointed to societal inequalities as a driving factor behind violence against women, sharing examples of everyday precautions women take to ensure their safety:
“Every woman you know has either carried an extra jacket, shared her location, pretended to be on a phone call while in a cab, avoided being rude to strangers, stayed hyper-vigilant in public, worn only one earphone, or carried pepper spray.”
She explained that women live with the constant fear that they could become victims of violence, often at the hands of men.
“Every woman you know lives with the constant reminder that it could be them any day. Every woman you know thanks her lucky stars it wasn’t them today.”
Avril added, “When a man sees a shadow on a dark night, they’re scared it could be a ghost. When a woman sees that shadow, they’re scared it could be a man.” She stressed that gender-based violence should not be viewed as a “women’s issue” alone.
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“For men who are quick to say, ‘not all men,’ or ‘we’re the good guys,’ or suggest ‘teach women self-defense,’ understand that this isn’t JUST a women’s problem. When half the population lives this way, it’s a macro problem.”
She called on men to take an active role in creating change by addressing harmful behavior within their circles and speaking out against inappropriate actions or jokes.
“Staying silent when your fellow boys make jokes makes you part of the problem. Self-defense classes won’t fix a man’s wandering eye.”
Avril encouraged men to have honest conversations with the women in their lives to better understand their struggles and exhaustion rather than ignoring the issue.
“Talk to the women in your life and try to understand WHY we’re so exhausted instead of turning a blind eye.”
She also acknowledged that various movements and campaigns are already working to engage men as partners in combating gender-based violence and promoting equality.
