Being a Better Man Takes All of Us
Men must take responsibility for violence against women, but they also need space to reflect, support one another and learn how to do better.
As a man in 2026, I cannot ignore the violence women experience.
Domestic abuse, sexual violence and harassment are serious problems in society. Men have to be honest about that. We have to challenge harmful behaviour, listen to women and take responsibility for the culture we help create.
But I also want to say something about the pressure many men are feeling.
Not every man is violent. Some men are trying to be good people. Some are raising children, supporting their families and encouraging other men to behave better. Some of us are learning, listening and trying to change the attitudes we grew up with.
We are responsible for doing our part, but being a man should not automatically make us the enemy.
Accountability and support can exist together.
We all have a part to play, but that does not mean we have to be consumed by it every hour of the day — through social media posts, the news or office gossip. We can stay accountable without losing our balance.
For the men who feel overwhelmed by the pressure, sometimes it helps to step away from the noise for a while. Switch off your phone. Go outside. Take a walk, pack a picnic or spend a day in nature.
You may be surprised by how much pressure disappears when the noise stops.
Taking time to breathe is not an excuse to avoid responsibility. It can give us the strength to come back more thoughtful, more honest and more willing to help.
Men need to speak up. Men need to challenge other men. Men need to keep learning. But men also need room to become better without being told that change is impossible.