Misogyny: A Societal Issue

The news over the weekend of the murder of a young mother and her unborn baby is horrifying, sad, and, unfortunately, something we have become so used to. At this stage it is under investigation and a young man has been arrested, not charged; no one else is being sought in connection to the murder. The death of Sarah Montgomery raises again violence against women and girls. We all know that we are most at risk in our own homes, by those who we love and who we believe love us. It is at home that we must educate our children, of all genders, in the importance of respect for each other. This education is ongoing day and daily in our language and actions towards eachother, towards women and girls. It is in challenging misogynistic ideologies, language and it is in re-education. It is in knowing who our children are in contact with in both the real and the virtual world, knowing what sites they are accessing, what their influences are and ensuring that they are healthy, not hate-filled. It is for males, of all ages to challenge misogynistic behaviours within their families, friendships and community. It is to provide positive male role models to our children; their blueprint for how they deserve to be treated, as a female, and also for how men should treat women is learned at home, observing the behaviours and language of the adults in their lives. In the community, it is in challenging every day sexism; it is treating women and girls with respect, it is not about superiority, it is for men to stand beside the women in their lives, encouraging them , and respecting them. It is an issue that everyone in society has a role in addressing, in changing attitudes and in ending violence towards women and girls.