What is Misogyny?
Misogyny is hatred, dislike, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism explicitly directed at females and can manifest in various ways. Misogyny can be seen in individual attitudes and behaviours and in systemic and institutional practices that perpetuate gender-based discrimination.
Misogyny can be overt or subtle, intentional or unintentional. It can take many forms, including derogatory language, belittling or dismissing women’s opinions or achievements, objectification and sexualisation of women, victim-blaming, and violence against women.
Misogyny is often rooted in cultural and societal norms perpetuating gender stereotypes and inequality.
Misogyny can have severe consequences for women, including limiting their opportunities and experiences, perpetuating gender-based violence, and contributing to a culture of sexism and discrimination.
Therefore, it is essential to recognise and challenge misogyny whenever and wherever it occurs and to work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all genders.
Misogyny can manifest in various ways, both subtle and explicit.
- Objectifying women
- Belittling women or girls in conversation, such as using sexist nicknames or using derogatory remarks
- Seeking to control women’s behaviour
- Using intimidating or humiliating behaviour to destroy a woman’s self-confidence and undermine her
- Discriminating against women, for example a woman is not offered a job that she is qualified for because she is a woman or it is assumed that a woman can’t do something because she is a woman
- Having double standards where men are viewed in a lenient way and women tend to be criticised
- Treating women differently from men in social and professional settings
- Threatening, aggressive, intimidating, or violent behaviour
- Pursuing unwanted sexual comments or advances, including catcalling, stalking, staring, touching, taking pictures without consent, exposure to sexual assault and rape.
- Controlling, confident and self-centred behaviour, as well as competitive
It’s important to note that not all forms of misogyny are overt or easily recognisable.
Sometimes it can be subtle, hidden beneath the surface of everyday interactions. But regardless of how it manifests, misogyny harms women and girls, and it’s essential to recognise and work towards eliminating it.
The self-proclaimed “misogynist” rose to fame after he was removed from the British version of the reality TV show Big Brother in 2016, following the release of a video that appeared to show him attacking a woman. Now, the 36-year-old former kickboxer boasts over 3.5 million Twitter followers and a worldwide profile.
His comments have been accused of promoting toxic masculinity and reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes. Some of his statements have also been flagged by social media platforms and removed for violating community guidelines.
Despite the backlash against his views, Tate has maintained a significant following on social media and has continued to promote his controversial opinions.
Tate has made numerous controversial statements on social media and in interviews, many of which have been widely criticised for their misogynistic and offensive nature. Some of Tate’s most infamous views include:
- Believing that women who dress provocatively or wear makeup are “whores.”
- Claiming that women who have experienced sexual assault or harassment are responsible for what happened to them because they put themselves in that position.
- Arguing that women are not as intelligent as men and should not be allowed to hold positions of power.
- Suggesting that women who engage in sexual activity outside of marriage are “trash.”