United Kingdom Mulls Treating 'Extreme Misogyny' As Terrorism Amid Rise In Misogynistic Influencers On Social Media

In a first, the UK government is reportedly planning to classify extreme misogyny as a form of terrorism.

In response to the rising violence against women and girls, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has directed a review of the counter-terrorism strategy.

This review aims to uncover gaps in existing legislation and closely examine the rise of online misogynistic ideologies.

The proposed initiative would equate violence against women with far-right extremism.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would make it mandatory for school teachers to refer students exhibiting signs of extreme misogyny to the government's counter-terror programme.

Those referred to the programme would be assessed by local police to determine if they show signs of radicalisation and need intervention for deradicalisation.

This move comes after reports warning that misogynistic influencers, such as Andrew Tate, are radicalising teenage boys online in a manner similar to how terrorists recruit their followers.

Last year, counter-extremism workers observed an increase in cases referred by schools concerned about Tate's influence.

These reports often involved incidents where male students verbally harassed female teachers or other students, echoing Tate's rhetoric.

The UK Home Ministry has designated several extremism categories as areas of "concern," including the "incel" movement—short for "involuntary celibate"—which refers to a misogynistic belief system blaming women for men’s lack of romantic prospects.

UK officials are increasingly concerned that this category fails to encompass other forms of extreme misogyny.

"For too long, governments have failed to address the rise in extremism, both online and on our streets, and we've seen the number of young people radicalised online grow. Hateful incitement of all kinds fractures and frays the very fabric of our communities and our democracy," Cooper was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

Last month, the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council published a report declaring violence against women and girls a national emergency.

Also Read: Kolkata Police Issues Prohibitory Orders Around R G Kar Hospital Amid Protests Over Doctor's Rape And Murder—All About It