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

Misogyny prevention fund to help tackle sexism at work, school and in public places across UK

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. Ministers will also seek match funding from corporate partners and philanthropists to grow the amount of cash available.

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.