In Britain, (extreme) misogyny will be treated just like any other form of extremism, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced, ordering a review of the UK’s counter-extremism strategy. Ms Cooper said she wanted to find the best way to tackle the threats posed by “harmful ideologies”. The review will therefore take a close look at women-hatred because, according to the government, it is one of the most worrying ideological trends and one that is gaining ground. Ms Cooper said there has been a rise in extremism “both online and on our streets” that is “fraying the very fabric of our communities and our democracy”. The review will also examine the rise of Islamist and far-right extremism in the UK, as well as broader ideological trends including extreme misogyny or beliefs that fall into broader categories, such as violence.
It will also examine the causes and behaviors of youth radicalization.
The minister said the strategy would “map and monitor extremist trends” to understand how to disrupt and steer people away from them.
It will also “identify any gaps in existing policy that need to be addressed to crack down on those who promote harmful and hateful beliefs and violence.” It is unclear how long this “rapid review” will take.
It is one of several policy reviews Labour has announced since coming to power in July, including the Strategic Defence Review, a spending review and a review of the National Curriculum.
This, however, is not even the first time that the government has considered misogyny as a form of extremism.