Minnie’s Musings

Yesterday the government launched its long awaited strategy on combating violence against women. Hurrah! Finally.

Schools have been trying to address this for years. We had our first assemblies on the vile Mr Tate yonks ago. The key element that is new is additional funding aimed at the 20% of young men for whom misogyny is hardwired into their psyche.

And with hideous inevitability some bright spark (of the male variety) pipes up with “What about the other 80%?”. Thereby indicating loudly and clearly that he wasn’t getting the point as those prone to squeaking “Not all men” are want to wail.

Enough – please stop and listen before you absolve yourself of responsibility. We the sisterhood are asking you to think about every time you have walked on by. And enough. We have indeed had enough. Most of us, several decades ago.

20% is not a small proportion. And that proportion is on the increase. Therefore the other 80% is vulnerable to influence. That other 80% may also give tacit and or unintended support through keeping quiet.

Given that women and girls have been kicking up a fuss about misogyny for decades, we need the male of the species to stand up and call it out as well. That means recognising it. Which requires being educated about it.

Both girls and boys are being taught about consent in school, because both need to know what it looks like. Ask your child, your niece, your nephew what they are taught and also what they are witnessing both in the classroom and outside it. That is a valuable dinner table discussion.

Recent experiences of male road rage have reinforced my perception that physical and verbal violence against women is on the rise. Because for many men the response to having to acknowledge the problem is to double down and go on the attack.