Jo Wallace Global Creative Director at Wunderman Thompson and Founder of Good Girls Eat Dinner, shares a poem reflecting on male violence against women.
Like so many, I’ve been lost for words recently but without words there’s no conversation and without conversation there’s no action.
And without action how will we ever come close to ensuring that #enoughisenough ?
Male violence against women is undoubtedly a complex issue, encompassing a need for reform across education, policy, policing, law and more but if this industry can’t help create true change for something this important then I’m not sure we’ve got our priorities right.
I’ve led several effective, multi-award winning campaigns in relation to male violence against women - with two more ready to go, logistics, investment etc willing. Because, here’s the thing; the elephant in the room. All of those campaigns were proactive (extra-curricular). All of them were pro bono, and all of them relied on favours and unpaid support. Because the incredible charities and/or not-for-profit organisations who are literally picking up the pieces couldn’t justify or afford those campaigns otherwise. And yet they were highly effective in helping to address male violence against women. Imagine what we could do with money? Imagine if the government put real money where their mouth is and funded impactful, insightful communications in order to tackle society’s tacit acceptance and glamorisation of violence against women…? I’m willing to bet the result would be more effective in averting violence against girls and women than a bus. Although I do have a bus side execution in mind should it be a mandate.
EVER SEEN A BUS SPEED TO A WOMAN’S PLIGHT?
Just wondering… Will this tide ever turn?
By whom exactly are the ‘lessons learned’?
Why does it feel so heavy despite the light?
Ever seen a bus speed to a woman’s plight?
You wait for a femicide then six come at once…
That’s women-per-hour lost to male violence
Six women per hour in the world lose their life
Often to the man who called them their wife
Ever seen a bus speed to a woman’s plight?
Why are we locked in such a tragic fight?
By the age of five girls feel they’re worth less
Society tells us: boys are the best
Ever seen a bus speed to a woman’s plight?
The authorities sent such a shining Knight…
Unpredictable, slow and utterly flawed
We’ll be lucky if the bus even opens its doors
*Source for 6 women killed per hour across the world stat: World Economic Forum Global Agenda 2020
Jo Wallace is a multi-award-winning Global Executive Creative Director and now lives in LA having spent the first 20 years of her career in London. She’s been recognised as Creative Equals & Campaign's Future Female Leaders, Pitch magazine's 100 Superwomen, Campaign & the IPA’s Women of Tomorrow Awards. Jo has a vision to effect positive change through disruptive solutions, both within and beyond advertising. She’s written and directed commercials and short films, and co-curated two exhibitions (‘There’s a Good Girl’ and ‘There’s a Good Immigrant’). In 2015 Jo founded the popular, non-profit, event ‘Good Girls Eat Dinner’. The mission is simple: to provide visible female role models across the creative industries. At each event, four inspirational women speak between the courses of a meal, sharing their experience and advice. The event has featured in various press, including Elle magazine. It's the most interesting dinner party you'll ever go to. In 2023 Jo launched a take-out version, AKA Good Girls Eat Dinner, the podcast!
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