'Will anything change?': Six women react to Saoirse Ronan's viral comment | Violence against women and girls

Saoirse Ronan's comment about women's safety on The Graham Norton Show went viral after she said using a phone as a weapon was something “girls have to think about all the time”. Ronan later said the reaction was “wild” and the moment was “the start of a conversation”.

Here, six women tell us what they think of the comments and their thoughts on women's safety.

“I change my commute to avoid unlit paths”

It wasn't just when [Ronan] said that line, it was like she was trying to say it and the others kept talking over her. She tried to say it at least twice and they were just joking. The entire context shows how women's lived experiences and attempts to share them are overlooked. People are more aware of it than before, but the show showed that it's not necessarily at the forefront of people's minds. I usually cycle along Southampton Common, but in the winter I change my commute to avoid unlit cycle paths. I also wear clothes that allow my phone to be accessible at all times. Lizzi, 35, pharmacist, Southampton

“I try to make myself seem bigger or angrier.”

Self-protection is the primary but routine concern when I travel alone. Boys enjoy a different world and I'm so glad Saoirse took the opportunity to tell it like it is. I think keys are the best choice [for self-defence]even though I used my legs [to run] and have used a surprisingly loud, deep voice in the past. I took a self-defense class in the 80's and we were told to try to make ourselves unattractive to predators because they prey on those they think look scared. This really struck me and sometimes I try to make myself seem bigger or angrier. Sarah, 59, speech and language therapy assistant, London

“My father taught me to box and I had sloppy but fierce-looking big dogs.”

I was about nine years old when my father taught me to box. Our independence as a child was very important to him and he often trained with me. He must have realized that it could be useful as a girl too. I've never really felt extreme anxiety, but it's still there. I also had sloppy but fierce looking big dogs. I lived in London for 35 years and had a Doberman German Shepherd mix named Boo because she was afraid of everything. I was walking with her around 11pm and people were crossing the street. Janey, 72, retired graphic designer, Norfolk

“It’s so easy to ignore a danger or threat when you don’t have to experience it yourself.”

I am a trans woman who only came out fully a few years ago. My style is suitable for everyday wear, nothing provocative and I am always mistaken for a woman. The first time I walked home from the bus at night and felt really unsafe, I suddenly realized: This is what women go through all the time. I have always been aware of women's problems and supportive of them, but even so, it was a terrible, shameful revelation when I realized that I had seen past this basic fact of women's lives. It's so easy to ignore a danger or threat when you don't have to experience it yourself. Kim, 60, classical musician, Sweden

“The clip will be shared, but will anything change?”

I agree with her, but sometimes I worry that people only care about feminism when it's presented in viral, easily digestible moments. Yes, the clip will be shared and posted, but will anything change? Probably not. I'm glad I'm a lesbian because my partners are less likely to harm or kill me. It's taken us decades to even get this far, and I feel like we're stuck at best and regressing at worst. My mother always taught me to carry a can of strong deodorant that I could spray on someone. I carry a large metal water bottle because I know I can attack someone with it. Ruby, 30, works in education, USA

“Your elbow is one of your best weapons”

While living in South Africa for almost 20 years, I attended a women's self-defense course. The presenter, a former police officer from Zimbabwe, said most women who were raped reported not knowing what to do even if their hands were free. Your elbow is one of your best weapons. Who knew? Even 30 years later, I still remember what was taught. However, I sometimes travel with a small awl in my pocket. Aletta, 66, retired application software moderator, Netherlands