The British government has launched a national taskforce aimed at tackling misogyny across society, under the message that no woman should have to limit her ambitions because of fear.
The initiative comes as Girlguiding reports that girls are facing increasing levels of sexism and misogyny online, in public spaces and in schools. The taskforce will seek to challenge harmful attitudes online, in workplaces and within communities by bringing together representatives from women’s organisations, academia, local leadership and government ministers.
British Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson told Sky News that the taskforce would address attitudes that have emerged in recent years and that she had believed were a thing of the past.
“I want women to live lives full of opportunity and freedom,” Phillipson said, adding that women should not have to worry about whether they feel safe in the street, at home or when using public transport, while girls should also be protected from harmful attitudes in schools.
Phillipson said the issue required action across government, describing it as a fundamental problem that can have devastating consequences and, in some cases, lead to women losing their lives.
Officials said further announcements would be made during the week as part of the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
The taskforce will include Girlguiding Chief Executive Felicity Oswald, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Janaya Walker, interim director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition.
Its first meeting is expected to take place shortly after the conference recess on October 12 and will focus on young people.
Phillipson, who previously worked at a women’s shelter before entering Parliament, said she had witnessed firsthand the devastating impact on women and girls when harmful attitudes are tolerated and left unchallenged.
“No woman should make her world smaller or curb her ambitions because of fear,” she said, stressing that achieving this goal is a shared responsibility. She added that society as a whole can and should do better.
Sexism and Misogyny
Girlguiding Chief Executive Felicity Oswald said girls had told the organisation that they were experiencing increasing levels of sexism and misogyny online, in public places and at school.
She called for greater education on healthy relationships, gender stereotypes, early warning signs and consent.
Oswald also welcomed the opportunity to bring girls’ experiences and perspectives directly into discussions with the government, saying that girls are experts in their own lives and that their voices should be heard when decisions affecting them are made.
Denise Ugur, Deputy Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said meaningful commitment and engagement from ministers across government departments would be essential to ensuring the taskforce is effective.
