A single comment made by actress Saoirse Ronan on The Graham Norton Show has ignited a firestorm of discussion about the realities women face when it comes to personal safety. Ronan’s remark about using a phone as a weapon, something she says “girls have to think about all the time,” struck a chord with viewers, prompting an outpouring of reactions from women across the globe.
Six Women Share Their Stories
In light of Ronan’s viral moment, we reached out to six women from various backgrounds and asked them to share their thoughts on the actress’s comment and their own experiences with personal safety. Their responses paint a vivid picture of the constant vigilance and precautions that have become second nature for many women.
Lizzi, 35, Pharmacist from Southampton
For Lizzi, it wasn’t just Ronan’s words that resonated, but the context in which they were spoken. “She attempted at least twice to say it and they just kept making jokes,” Lizzi recounts. “The whole context of it shows how much women’s lived experiences and attempts at sharing these are overlooked.”
As a cyclist, Lizzi has had to alter her commute to avoid unlit paths during the winter months. She also makes sure to wear clothes with easily accessible pockets for her phone at all times. “People are more aware than before,” she acknowledges, “but the show demonstrated it’s not necessarily at the forefront of people’s minds.”
Sarah, 59, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant from London
For Sarah, self-protection is a routine concern whenever she’s out alone. “Guys enjoy a different world,” she emphasizes, “and I’m so glad Saoirse seized the opportunity to tell it as it is.” While Sarah considers keys to be the best self-defense tool, she’s also relied on her voice and body language in the past.
I did a self-defence class in the 80s and we were told to try and make ourselves seem unattractive to predators because they prey on those they think look frightened. That really struck me and sometimes I try and make myself appear bigger or angrier.
– Sarah, 59
Janey, 72, Retired Graphic Designer from Norfolk
Janey’s father recognized the importance of self-defense from an early age, teaching her how to box when she was just nine years old. “He must’ve realised that as a girl it might be useful too,” she reflects. In addition to her boxing skills, Janey has also relied on the presence of her “soppy but fierce-looking” dogs to deter potential threats.
Kim, 60, Classical Musician from Sweden
As a trans woman who only fully transitioned a couple of years ago, Kim had a harsh realization when walking home from the bus at night for the first time. “I suddenly realised – this is what women go through the whole time,” she shares. “It was a horrible, shaming epiphany to realise that I’d seen past this basic fact of women’s lives.”
It’s so easy to ignore a danger or threat if you don’t have to experience it yourself.
– Kim, 60
Ruby, 30s, Works in Education from the US
While Ruby agrees with Ronan’s sentiment, she worries that people only engage with feminism when it’s delivered in “viral, digestible moments.” She questions whether the clip will lead to any real change, expressing frustration at the slow pace of progress. “It’s taken us decades to get even this far,” she laments, “and I feel like we’re getting stuck at best and at worst going backwards.”
Aletta, 66, Retired Application Software Facilitator from the Netherlands
During her time living in South Africa, Aletta attended a women’s self-defense course taught by a former police officer from Zimbabwe. One key takeaway that has stuck with her for over 30 years is the power of the elbow as a weapon. “Who knew?” she muses. Despite this knowledge, Aletta still sometimes carries a small awl in her pocket for added protection.
A Conversation Sparked, But Will Change Follow?
Saoirse Ronan’s viral moment has undoubtedly ignited a conversation about the daily realities and fears women face when it comes to personal safety. The experiences shared by these six women serve as a powerful testament to the pervasiveness of this issue and the toll it takes on women’s lives.
However, as Ruby pointed out, the question remains: will this moment of heightened awareness translate into tangible, lasting change? Will society take the steps necessary to create a world where women no longer have to rely on makeshift weapons and constant vigilance just to feel safe in public spaces?
The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – women are tired of living in fear and are demanding action. Ronan’s comment may have been brief, but it has given voice to a shared experience that can no longer be ignored. It’s time for society as a whole to listen, learn, and take meaningful steps towards creating a safer world for everyone.
