Government launches National Taskforce for Tackling Misogyny
The UK government launched a national taskforce to address misogyny, chaired by the Minister for Women and Equalities, aiming to reshape societal attitudes and reduce violence against women and girls.
The government announced a new National Taskforce for Tackling Misogyny, chaired by Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, to address harmful attitudes toward women and girls across society. The taskforce will include experts, ministers, and local leaders to shape policy based on lived experiences of those affected by misogyny. It will examine how misogyny manifests in online spaces, workplaces, and communities, with a focus on prevention and cultural change. The first meeting will prioritize young people, followed by discussions on workplaces, digital spaces, and social cohesion.
The taskforce complements existing cross-government efforts to halve violence against women and girls, aiming to reduce harmful attitudes and shift social norms. Members will include representatives from women’s organizations, academia, and local leadership. The initiative follows the government’s commitment to tackle misogyny at its root causes, with a focus on prevention and evidence-based action. The Minister emphasized that no woman should face limitations due to fear of misogyny, calling for collective societal action.
Equimundo, a global research organization, highlighted the increasing prevalence of misogynistic attitudes and stressed the need to engage men and boys as allies in addressing the issue. Their research indicates that misogyny harms both women and men, with online and offline harassment disproportionately affecting girls and women. The organization welcomed the taskforce’s focus on prevention and its potential to foster equality and respect. They called for sustained commitment from all government departments to ensure the taskforce’s effectiveness.
Everyone’s Invited, a survivor-led organization, welcomed the taskforce, citing the rapid escalation of harm due to dangerous online spaces and AI. They reported over 53,000 survivors sharing experiences through their platform, emphasizing the need for education to prevent misogyny from becoming normalized. Girlguiding also joined the taskforce, citing rising levels of sexism and misogyny among young people. Both organizations stressed the importance of survivor and youth voices in shaping policy to ensure lasting change.