WRUK response to Ipsos polling on gender equality

Investment in the prevention of violence against women and girls is critical

White Ribbon UK is deeply concerned by recent polling from Ipsos which shows that young men and boys are more likely to believe that feminism has done more harm to society than good compared to older men.

In the report published by King’s College London, 16% of young men (16-29) see feminism as a threat versus 13% of men in the 60+ age category.

Anthea Sully, Chief Executive, White Ribbon UK, comments:

“The results of this polling are worrying. We must work with young men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms. In tandem with this educational work, we must promote and celebrate healthy masculinity so that young men and boys have better examples to learn from.

White Ribbon UK is continuing to call on the Government to develop its Relationships, Sex and Health Education Curriculum and Guidance to support schools to engage with young people about how harmful gender stereotyping can have serious consequences on the development of attitudes and beliefs that increase the risk of violence committed against women and girls.

Violence against women and girls is not a women’s issue; if we want to create a safer society we must engage and work with men and boys.”

White Ribbon UK is committed to culture change, we recently co-signed our support for the General Election 2024 VAWG Sector Manifesto, which outlines the importance of prevention and taking a ‘whole society’ approach to ending violence against women and girls.

In 2023, White Ribbon UK published a learning resource to teach young people about gender equality: Building Gender Equality for Young People. The resource was developed over two-years by expert practitioners and schools to help adults working with children and young people introduce the concepts of gender and inequality in a safe and meaningful way.