Boys as young as 11 could be referred to anti-misogyny courses under government plans aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.
The proposals form part of a long-awaited strategy to halve violence against women and girls, which will see pupils who raise concerns placed on school-based “behaviour change programmes” designed to challenge what ministers describe as deep-rooted misogynistic attitudes.
Sir Keir Starmer said the aim was to ensure “every parent should be able to trust that their daughter is safe at school, online and in her relationships”, warning that toxic ideas are often allowed to take hold at an early age without being challenged.
Shalina Patel, a historian, teacher and writer, in a previous conversation with Asian Voice, expressed, “Many boys are being exposed to deeply misogynistic influences online, and schools need structured support to combat this issue,” she explained. “This requires action at the policy level.”
The biggest challenge, she noted, is regulating the content young boys consume. “If they continue to be exposed to toxic ideologies that portray women as inferior, meaningful change for girls will be impossible. Addressing this issue systemically is the only way forward.
“Ultimately, ensuring safety for girls requires tackling harmful beliefs at their root. If boys grow up believing that women are objects or second-class citizens, progress will be severely limited. Addressing this issue at a systemic level is the only way forward.”
The courses, expected to be piloted in secondary schools with the option of extending them to primaries, would run alongside normal lessons and be delivered by teachers or external specialists. While girls could be referred if they display harmful behaviour, the primary focus would be on tackling misogyny among boys.
Content is expected to cover image-based abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, online harassment, stalking, peer pressure and consent, as well as challenging unrealistic portrayals of relationships in pornography. Teenagers will also be encouraged to identify positive role models and confront unhealthy myths about women and relationships.
