Women's Aid have launched the ‘Ally Action List’ - asking men to be an ally for women who have been victims of male violence.

The charity has teamed up with Allianz to launch a new online resource to advise men on how they can address violence against women and girls.

The Ally Action List calls on men to be open to conversations about masculinity, reflect on their attitudes towards women, and be a role model for change.

The list is built around four key pillars:

• Actively reflect on your attitudes - Think about the kind of man you want to be; reflect on your own actions; and show strength by being open and real
• Lean into positive norms - Be open to conversations about masculinity; embrace and promote positive ideas about masculinity; speak up when you hear sexist comments; and step in when you see something wrong
• Listen to, learn from and support women - Support women by standing with them; you don’t have to fix everything; and share care and household responsibilities equally in your relationship
• You and your community, working together - Be the role model you once had; and get involved in the movement for change

Research, conducted by Women’s Aid and Core, shows that despite many men wanting to help, a key barrier is that they are not sure how.

The Ally Action List is a practical guide to being a male ally, with the aim of removing that barrier.

Ally Action List by Women's Aid. Image: Women's Aid

Women's Aid CEO Sarah Benson said violence and abuse against women, including femicide figures are “going in the wrong direction” and “that needs to change as a matter of urgency”.

“Already this year, three women have lost their lives in violent circumstances,” she said.

“Our research shows that we need men to join the conversation and while a majority want to help, they aren’t always sure where to start.

“Together with Allianz, we are launching the Ally Action List to provide clear, practical steps to invite men into the conversation in becoming effective allies.

“This isn’t about judgement or pointing fingers – it’s about specific, actionable ways for men to make a difference.”

Ms Benson said that “64% of men in Ireland” agree that men should call out inappropriate jokes or comments about women, “so the foundation is there for all of us to drive change”.

A shadow of a man with a clenched fist as a woman cowers in the corner. 09/03/15. Image: PA Images / Alamy

The launch of the Ally Action List comes as research shows that 35% of women in Ireland, more than one-in-three, have experienced psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse from an intimate partner.

Figures recently released by Gardaí also revealed that reports of domestic abuse increased by 9% in 2024, totalling 65,114.

As part of the launch of the Ally Action List, Allianz and Women’s Aid will open the doors of ‘The Dead Flower Shop’ this Valentine’s Day.

“Valentine’s Day is the one day that men are collectively thinking about their partners,” Ms Benson said.

“We are opening The Dead Flower Shop to leverage that collective focus to highlight the very real and growing issue of violence against women and femicide.

“As men enter flower shops across the country, to buy Valentine’s Day flowers for their partners, The Dead Flower Shop will be a reminder of women who were killed by theirs.”

An arrangement of dead flowers. Image: Alamy

Open to the public for one day only, The Dead Flower Shop will look like a normal flower shop but, once people enter, they will see an exhibition of dead flowers.

Eight bouquets have been designed and arranged to represent a select number of women in Ireland who have been killed by their current or former partners.

At the centre of the exhibition, a larger bouquet of 274 dead roses will collectively represent and remember each of the 274 women killed in violence circumstances in Ireland since 1996.

A woman holds up a poster during a vigil outside Belfast City Hall to mark the death of Chloe Mitchell and violence against women, © PA Wire/PA Images

Speaking about the campaign, Allianz CEO Phillip Gronemeyer said Allianz have “seen a more urgent need to address attitudes and behaviours”.

“Violence against women is increasing and we are all too aware of the shocking number of femicide cases that have dominated the news in recent times,” he said.

“It is only by our community as a whole coming together that we can drive the positive change needed to shift the dial on violence against women so we would like more men to get involved.

“Working closely with Women’s Aid with the additional support of the Men’s Development Network, we have developed the Ally Action List.

“We are calling on men across the country to engage with the resource and encouraging them to become more aware of what part they can play when it comes to ending violence against women.”

The Ally Action List is available – here.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please contact Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900.

Women attend a Rally for Women's Safety held in the Guildhall Square, Derry, Northern Ireland. Women attend a Rally for Women's Safety held in the Guildhall Square, Derry, Northern Ireland. 8 Nov 2024 - Photo: George Sweeney/Alamy