Launching the CEO Blog on International Women's Day: A Feminist, Intersectional Approach to Ending Domestic Abuse
We're proud to introduce our CEO blog, a space where we will regularly share reflections, insights, and calls to action from Cherryl Henry-Leach. To launch, we begin with a powerful statement on International Women’s Day.
On this International Women’s Day, as we reflect on the theme of "Accelerate Action," Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) reaffirms its unwavering and unequivocal commitment to ending domestic abuse through a feminist, intersectional, and inclusive lens. This day is not just a moment to celebrate progress but also a call to action—a reminder of the work still to be done to achieve true equality and justice for all.
Domestic abuse is not just a personal or private family matter—it is a societal issue deeply rooted in power, control, and inequality. It often persists in the shadows, fuelled by silence, stigma, and systemic barriers. But today, we Stand Together, united in our resolve to challenge age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexuality, marriage or civil partnership, disability, or immigration status—can live free from fear and abuse.
For those of us who work in this sector, the journey can be both deeply personal and profoundly collective. Every day, we witness the resilience of survivors who, despite unimaginable pain, find the strength to rebuild their lives. We walk alongside them, offering support, advocacy, and hope. But we also carry the weight of their stories, knowing that behind every statistic is a person whose life journey has been forever altered by abuse.
This demands courage, empathy, and an unshakable belief in the possibility of change. It requires us to confront uncomfortable truths about the systems structures and biases that perpetuate inequality and harm. Yet, it is also deeply rewarding, as we see the transformative power of compassion, solidarity, and collective action.
As we honour the vision and dedication of those who came before us—the trailblazing feminists, activists, and advocates who paved the way for us—we also look to the future. We know that the path to equality is not linear, but it is one we must walk together, hand in hand, with survivors at the centre of everything we do.
Our Commitments: A Blueprint for Change
This International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to the following principles, which guide our work and reflect our vision for a just and equal society:
1. Challenging Inequity: We will courageously confront the gender inequality that underpins domestic abuse. We will use our strategic position to ensure that women, men, and all people subjected to abuse are seen, heard, and supported, regardless of their identity.
2. Amplifying Survivor Voices: Survivors are the heart of our work. We will prioritise the inclusion of diverse voices, recognising that gender inequality impacts people differently based on their intersecting identities. Every survivor’s story is unique, and every survivor deserves a system that responds with empathy and understanding.
3. Engaging Men and Boys: We will call on all members of the community, especially men and boys, to join us in addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG). At the same time, we will ensure that men and boys who experience domestic abuse are supported without diminishing their needs or experiences.
4. Centring Intersectionality: We will actively seek out and amplify the voices of those who are marginalised—people from Black, Asian, and other ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people, and those with insecure immigration status. Our work will reflect the diverse realities of survivors and challenge the systemic barriers that silence them.
5. Honouring Feminist Principles: We will honour the legacy of the feminists who came before us, whose courage and determination have brought us this far. Our feminist principles will guide our efforts to balance power within our organisation and align our strategy, policies, and processes with our values.
6. Collaborative Action: We will work hand in hand with organisations that share our vision, strengthening the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) model to ensure survivors receive the best possible support. Together, we can create a system that protects, empowers, and uplifts.
A Call to Action: Accelerate Action
This International Women’s Day, we call on policymakers, community leaders, and the public to join us in our mission to end domestic abuse. Let us:
- Challenge gender inequality and dismantle the systems that perpetuate harm.
- Amplify survivor voices, ensuring that no one is left behind or silenced.
- Build bridges across communities, sectors, and borders to create a world where everyone can live free from abuse.
The road ahead is long, but we are not alone. Together, we can break the cycles of abuse, challenge the status quo, and build a future defined by equality, justice, and compassion.