Why Women’s Safety Shouldn’t Just Be Our Job Anymore
…We’ve carried the burden long enough.
This weekend, Irish influencer Chloe Koyce shared her story. A man followed her into her hotel. She was smart, aware, careful – she even had her mum with her. And still, she was terrified. Still, she felt she had to explain herself. Still, the blame tried to creep in.
Every woman watching her video felt it in her chest. Because we all know that fear. We all have a story, or several.
And that’s the problem.
Women and girls have been trained to think about our safety constantly. We don’t say where we’re staying. We text when we get home. We carry keys between our fingers. We fake phone calls in taxis. We take the long way home just to avoid a dark street.
We do the heavy lifting – every single day – and still, it’s not enough.
Meanwhile…
In the same week Chloe’s story was shared, Conor McGregor – a man found liable for rape only mere months ago – was welcomed to the White House for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. No questions asked. No accountability.
This is what we mean when we say the system is broken.
When high-profile men are celebrated, platformed, and defended – even when they’ve harmed women – it sends a clear message:
Women’s safety doesn’t matter.
Men need to do more
Women have been changing our behaviour for years. We’ve done the work. And honestly? We’re tired.
Now it’s your turn.
If you’re a man reading this, here’s what you need to understand:
It’s not enough to not be “one of the bad ones.”
It’s not enough to say “not all men.”
It’s not enough to be passive while your mates make dodgy jokes, share sexist content, or defend people like Andrew Tate.
You. Need. To. Call. It. Out.
In your group chat. At school. On nights out.
Because if you don’t, you’re enabling it.
Silence is part of the problem.
We need to make it uncool to treat women like this
The Andrew Tates and Conor McGregors of the world don’t rise to the top on their own. They get there because they’re platformed, defended, and seen as “entertainment” or “banter.”
But make no mistake – this is not harmless.
This is dangerous.
And we need to start treating it that way.
We should be making these men social pariahs, not role models.
And that shift starts with boys and men holding each other accountable.
To every girl reading this…
You are not overreacting.
You are not dramatic.
You are not to blame.
And you are not alone.
So yes – trust your gut. Be prepared. Keep looking out for each other.
But also: speak up. Share your story. Ask questions. Push back.
Because change doesn’t come from women staying quiet.
And it definitely won’t come from us doing all the work alone.