November 26th 2024.
It is no secret that women are often targets of gender-based violence, and it is a shocking reality that needs to be addressed. As a society, we need to take action to protect and empower women. This is why Metro has launched the "This Is Not Right" campaign, which aims to raise awareness and engage readers in the fight against violence towards women and girls.
I was thrilled when I saw Metro's front page this Monday morning, highlighting the campaign and the extent of violence against women. It is heartening to know that finally, people are starting to take notice and help those who have suffered or are still suffering from abuse. I am one of the lucky ones who can speak out and share my story, but sadly, there are many who cannot. They have lost their lives to this epidemic, and it breaks my heart.
That is why I believe it is crucial to encourage women to learn self-defence. With such high levels of violence against women, it is essential to equip them with the skills to protect themselves. However, I have noticed that it is not easy to find proper self-defence courses in the UK. Most of the classes available are from small, private "fighting schools," and I have not seen any involvement from big NGOs or charities that work against gender violence. While I understand the importance of promoting de-escalation and creating a world where self-defence is not needed, it still seems odd to me.
I am not an expert, but I believe that self-defence skills, along with efforts towards reducing discrimination and misogyny, can significantly contribute to a safer world for women. Just like learning CPR is essential, even though we strive to lead healthy lifestyles, self-defence is equally crucial in protecting ourselves.
I am glad that Metro is highlighting these shocking statistics, and I hope that more women will learn self-defence and be able to defend themselves if needed. Your campaign is making a difference, and I stand with you in this fight against violence towards women.
Moving on to other topics, I was surprised to read about the misconception that the Conservative party is responsible for the state of NHS dentistry. As a dentist with over 40 years of experience, I can confidently say that it was the Labour party, under Tony Blair's leadership, who destroyed NHS dentistry with their current contract in 2006. It is unfair to blame the current government for something that was set in motion years ago.
Another hot topic in the news is the rising housing prices, making it difficult for millennials to own a home. While some argue that wages were lower in the past, making it a fair trade-off, the fact remains that houses are now 8.8 times more expensive than the average annual income. This makes it nearly impossible for many young people to get on the property ladder. We must acknowledge this issue and find ways to make homeownership more accessible for the younger generation.
Finally, I would like to comment on the recent incident of a grandmother being fined for fly-tipping after leaving a bag near a charity collection bank. While it may seem like a minor offense, it is essential to address these acts to prevent them from escalating. I have seen similar situations outside charity shops, where people rummage through bags, creating a mess. Let us all do our part in keeping our communities clean and organized.
On a lighter note, I could not agree more with Carlos's story about an irate queue forming at the self-service tills because of an "inexperienced person in the scanning area." While it is frustrating when people block the area with a full trolley, these self-service queues are designed for quick service and should be used accordingly.
Lastly, I was shocked to read about Caitlin Walton, who has lived her whole life in the UK but has no legal documentation to prove it. It is absurd that she is considered "legally not existing" because of not having a birth certificate. It is a reminder that our government needs to do more to ensure that all individuals have the necessary legal documents to prove their existence.
Overall, I would like to thank Metro for providing a platform for readers to share their views and engage in important discussions. Let us continue to have open and honest conversations about the issues affecting our society and work towards making a positive change.
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