IWD 2025: Scottish Government must not drop anti-misogyny laws
The Scottish Government has been urged to ensure that its Misogyny Bill is not dropped and that it is in place by next year’s International Women’s Day.
The call comes from Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman, who is asking the Scottish Government to update MSPs on the status of a bill that would criminalise misogynistic harassment.
Consultation on the proposed misogyny laws began two years ago on International Women’s Day 2023 and was due to end in June of the same year, but, so far, no action has been announced to take it forward.
This proposed bill would provide protection to women and girls at risk of gender-based violence in Scotland, with new laws against misogynistic harassment and behaviour, stirring up hatred against women and girls and protections from abusive communications.
Ms Chapman said:
“There has been a global revival of misogynistic behaviour, which has been inflamed by the Trump administration and the far right movement that it represents.
“The rise of social media has moved so much of the harassment and abuse online, making those platforms increasingly hostile places for women and girls.
“It increasingly feels like we are going backwards. We are seeing progressive action being rolled back across so many different spheres by Westminster, including the rights of migrants and LGBTQIA+ people. Women’s hard-won rights are not immune to this dangerous agenda either.
“These laws have been a long time coming, but updates have been few and far between. Last year the Scottish Government dropped its commitment to deliver a much anticipated Human Rights Bill. We cannot allow that to happen again.
“Legislation is only part of the picture, but when people are getting away with misogynistic abuse and violence without any recourse, it will be an important part. This bill must be part of a bigger institutional and cultural change that we need to see across society.
“The Scottish Government must ensure that these laws are introduced and in place by next year’s International Women’s Day.”