National anti-misogyny taskforce launched to weed out abuse and sexism
Run by the Government, the group will seek to root out harmful attitudes online, in workplaces and within communities, bringing together representatives from multiple sectors
Bridget Phillipson vowed to send misogyny ‘back to the dark ages’(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock)
A national taskforce aimed at tackling misogyny has been launched to send misogynistic sexist “back to the dark ages”.
Run by the Government, the group will seek to root out harmful attitudes online, in workplaces and within communities, bringing together representatives from women’s organisations, academia, local leaders and ministers.
Among those working alongside women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson on the taskforce are Girlguiding chief executive officer Felicity Oswald, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and End Violence Against Women Coalition interim director Janaya Walker.
The first meeting is expected to take place shortly and will focus on young people.
Ms Phillipson, who previously worked at a women’s refuge before entering Parliament, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact on women and girls when harmful attitudes are tolerated and left unchallenged.
“No woman should have to make her world smaller or curb her ambitions out of fear – and making that a reality is everyone’s business.
“As a whole society, we can and must be better. With political leadership and the best experts from across the country, we will shift the dial on the poisonous attitudes that blight women’s lives, turn evidence into action and send misogynistic attitudes back to the dark ages where they belong.”
It follows Labour ’s 2024 manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade.
Ms Oswald said girls were telling Girlguiding they are facing rising levels of sexism and misogyny online, in public and in schools.
She said: “That’s why we are calling for more education around healthy relationships, gender stereotypes, early warning signs and consent.
“We welcome the opportunity to bring girls’ experiences and perspectives directly into discussions with government. Girls are experts in their own lives and it is vital that their voices are heard when decisions are made that impact them.”
Deniz Ugur, deputy director at the End Violence Against Women Coalition, added: “We strongly welcome the taskforce’s consideration of how the weaponisation of VAWG fuels harm, misinformation and division in our communities, which ultimately undermines efforts to end and prevent VAWG, and ensure that victims and survivors can access support.”
