UK government to give £15m to anti-misogyny fund amid ‘manosphere’ concerns

The chancellor will give £15m to a dedicated fund to tackle misogyny in workplaces, schools and public places amid concerns in government about the rise of “manosphere” influencers.

The women and equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, will helm the UK-wide fund, announced last month, marking the first time there has been specific national cash to address misogyny.

The government said organisations could bid for money from the misogyny prevention fund to provide services including mentoring for young people, workplace training and awareness campaigns to improve safety for women and girls. Bidders would be encouraged to source match funding from corporate partners and philanthropists.

Campaigns that have drawn praise in the past – which could be funded nationwide – are Transport for London’s poster campaigns and adverts that encouraged other men to intervene when they saw abusive behaviour taking place, including the “Have a Word” and “Say Maaate to a Mate” campaigns to challenge misogyny.

The campaigns won advertising awards but some critics argued they had done relatively little to address the major threats of violence against women and girls.

Phillipson, who announced her misogyny prevention taskforce last month, said the fund’s aim was to educate and prevent everyday sexism.

“Day to day misogyny – from sexist slurs and harassment to workplace discrimination – quite simply has no place in modern Britain,” she said, announcing the funding.

“The time for talk has long passed, which is why this government is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to supporting women and girls. This funding is a critical step as we work to confine misogyny to the history books, where it belongs.

“Government is leading from the front, but we all have a role to play. Everyone – from big business to members of the public – can do their bit to stamp out misogyny and improve the lives of women and girls everywhere.”

The chancellor, John Healey, who is expected to confirm the £15m in the budget on Wednesday, said: “Every woman and girl deserves to feel safe, respected and able to pursue their ambitions – at school, at work and in their communities.

“This investment will back practical action to tackle misogyny head-on, while bringing businesses and philanthropists on board so we can go even further – giving women and girls more opportunity to succeed and hope for the future.”

The government has previously announced a separate fund to tackle misogynistic influences in schools, as part of the violence against women and girls strategy. That £20m package is intended to provide new funding and materials for schools to address relationship issues, online misogyny and misinformation.

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