Only men can solve this. Only men can take ownership of this
– Baroness Helena Kennedy
Men must take ownership of the everyday abuse and harassment of women if it is to be curbed, according to the leader of a Scottish government taskforce.
Baroness Helena Kennedy warns the seeds of abusive behaviour are sown in childhood and, unchecked, they can end with men committing acts of violence against women.
Kennedy, who is leading a Scottish government working group examining whether misogyny should be made a criminal offence, says she sees evidence of
it all around her, and it has to stop.
She said: “It starts when boys are young, in the playground, and by the time they are 11 or 12 years old, porn is so readily available on the internet, we’re seeing them passing it around and speaking about girls in such a derogatory fashion. It’s deeply unsettling.
“By the time they are adults, its too late to say to them that’s not the way to treat women, making love should be a special thing between two people not what you see on those awful porn sites.
“I was on a crowded train not too long ago and there was this group of football supporters sitting loudly discussing what they would like to do to women and it was so vile and awful I actually had to go over and challenge them and stop them. The place was crowded and all the women were nodding but not one single man stood up to say their behaviour was unacceptable. They were all too busy keeping their heads down and looking at their feet.
“That’s what’s wrong with how we’ve become. Where are all the men who should be standing up and saying they are feminists too?
“Violence and abusive behaviour towards women is not a woman problem – it’s a man problem and they have to tackle it.”
Kennedy said the abuse of women in public life is a specific aspect of the wider crisis. She said: “It’s almost as if they are punishing us for having the temerity for speaking out, we’ve become too pushy because we won’t be silenced.
“The internet has become a megaphone for awful examples of this, and it saddens me deeply every time I see another women being targeted or feeling she has to leave her job.”
She said: “There is a failure to truly understand life as it is lived by women. I see this in domestic abuse cases all the time, where there are still those who will somehow seek to find a way to place some of the blame on women, that they have contributed.
“And sometimes, it’s women who blame other women.”
The Labour peer said women must be persuaded to report and record even what she describes as “low-grade instances” so society can see the full extent of the problem.
She said whenever women place their heads above the parapet, they are subjected to the most vile and violent threats.
Japanese Anemone Bringing calmness and serenity
The delicate flowers of Japanese anemones bloom from late summer through to the first frost, ranging from white to pale pink. Sometimes called windflowers, their graceful stems are set in motion by even the lightest of breezes, causing the flowers to dance in the breeze. It is certainly easy to attribute a certain Zen-like quality of inner serenity to their discreet beauty. These flowers feature in Japanese ornamental gardens, which are spaces of meditation and reflection, to inspire peace and contemplation.
The flowers contribute to the overall feeling of calm and serenity and are an ideal token to give to someone wanting a little peace and tranquillity in their life.
Peony Bringing luck, happiness and good fortune
Almost everyone loves the plump peony, sometimes referred to as “the rose without thorns”. They are possibly the flower most requested by brides and are often associated with devotion. This stunning flower is China’s national emblem, where it is seen as a symbol of luck, happiness and fortune. Deep-red peonies are most prized as they are the most closely linked to honour, wealth and prosperity. Given the beauty of this flower and its association with luck, success, and happiness, it is the most appropriate flower for a wedding bouquet. Giving peonies as a present is the perfect way to wish someone good fortune, joy and prosperity.
Geranium Aromatherapeutic healing for depression and anxiety
The geranium is a common sight in window boxes and on kitchen windowsills. The oak-leafed geranium we are looking at here (also known as a perlagonium) has been designated the emblem of true friendship. The geranium is widely used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, discontent and stress and is used to treat a number of health conditions. There is scientific data to indicate it might be beneficial in pain management. And it is said that inhaling geranium’s essential oil can have a calming effect. It is also used to help poor relationships. Geraniums are the perfect token to give to a dear friend for whom you will always be there, or to someone who has always been there for you.
Aquilegia For courage
The name aquilegia comes from the Latin “aquila”, meaning “eagle”, because the flower is thought to resemble an eagle’s foot. The Greeks and the Persians declared the eagle was the sun’s representative, a symbol of spirit, while in early Christianity, the eagle was a sign of hope and strength and for Native Americans the eagle represents courage and patience, knowing the future may hold possibilities not yet seen before the eagle takes flight. This flower’s meanings – including resolution and strength – led it to be traditionally worn for courage courage. It is perfect for so someone who has been grieving or experienced a period of f sorrow and is about to begin a new chapter in their lives. v
Fritillary For healing and renewal
There are many types of fritillary, butb it is the delicate Fritillaria meleagris, more commonnly known as the snake’s head fritillary, we have herre. This variety has a number of names, including chesss flower, chequered lily and snake’s head lily’, while fritillarria itself comes from the Latin frittilus. The pattern of the snake’s head fritillary also resembless a chessboard, so games, whichh involve luck and desire for success, springs to mind, making this a flower forf success. But it is the symbolism suurrounding the snake, which sheds itsi skin to emerge stronger, larrger and healthier than before, thatt makes this flower a symmbol of transformation, healing and renewal. Snaakes head fritillary would bee an appropriate gift foor someone recovering froom of ill health, restaarting a business, or swittching career.