End online misogyny
It is crucial that tech giants are made to take a stand against toxic and misogynistic behaviour if we are to end violence against women and girls, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
Speaking ahead of a Scottish Government debate on Uniting Local and National Efforts Across Sectors to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
Maggie said:
“Ending violence against women cannot be left to women alone. It is the work of all of us.
“Some of the most powerful voices that we need to take on are the tech giants and social media companies. They have knowingly allowed misogyny to flourish on their platforms, cashing in on the spread of hatred and division and raking in huge profits from cyber bullying, toxic behaviour and fuelling the far right.
“It has come from the top down, with misogyny, transphobia and demeaning abuse being normalised by the racist, hateful and cynical billionaires who run these companies. They have created a grotesque digital landscape that intimidates, harms and ultimately silences women and girls every single day.
“If I think about my own social media, I am regularly attacked by people using the most vile language and misogynistic tropes. I know that it is many times worse for trans people, migrant communities or women and girls of colour who are specifically targeted by online mobs.
“Enough is enough. It is time for our governments to listen - really listen - and to take action. Self-regulation does not work. If we are serious about tackling violence against women and girls then it will need robust laws and regulations to force social media companies to act.”
Maggie added:
“It’s not just the tech industry. Challenging this culture must be something we all do every day: in conversations with friends, in calling out misogyny when it appears, and in refusing to treat violence as inevitable.
“Men in particular need to be willing to confront uncomfortable truths about power, privilege, and the ways these are woven through our institutions and relationships. Solidarity is more than sympathy. It is action. If we are to build a world rooted in dignity, equality, and care, then men must be part of that transformation.
“Being a bystander or a passive ally is not enough. We need all men to be active participants in creating a society where women can live free from fear - because justice demands nothing less.”