'No woman should have to curb ambitions out of fear': National taskforce to tackle misogyny launched

A national taskforce aimed at tackling misogyny across society has been launched by the government.

The group will seek to root out harmful attitudes online, in workplaces and within communities, bringing together representatives from women's organisations, academia, local leaders and ministers.

Women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Kamal Ahmed that the taskforce "will tackle some of the attitudes that we've seen develop, particularly in recent years, that I thought were a thing of the past".

She continued: "And I want women to live lives of opportunity, of freedom, and not to have to worry about whether they feel safe on the street, whether they're safe in their own home, about whether they'll face harassment on public transport, attitudes in our schools that young girls will experience.

"This is about all of us, across government, coming together to tackle these attitudes, this underlying problem that, sadly, does lead to women losing their lives. It leads to terrible, terrible consequences."

Further announcements will be made this week to move forward with Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade, officials said.

Those working alongside Ms Phillipson on the taskforce include Girlguiding chief executive officer Felicity Oswald, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and End Violence Against Women Coalition interim director Janaya Walker.

The first meeting is expected to take place shortly after conference recess (12 October) and will focus on young people.

Ms Phillipson, who previously worked at a women's refuge before entering parliament, said: "I've seen first-hand the devastating impact on women and girls when harmful attitudes are tolerated and left unchallenged.

"No woman should have to make her world smaller or curb her ambitions out of fear - and making that a reality is everyone's business.

"As a whole society, we can and must be better."

Ms Oswald said girls were telling Girlguiding they are facing rising levels of sexism and misogyny online, in public and in schools.

"That's why we are calling for more education around healthy relationships, gender stereotypes, early warning signs and consent," she said.

"We welcome the opportunity to bring girls' experiences and perspectives directly into discussions with government.

"Girls are experts in their own lives and it is vital that their voices are heard when decisions are made that impact them."

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Deniz Ugur, deputy director at the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said "meaningful commitment and engagement" by ministers across all government departments would be needed to ensure the group was effective.

On Thursday, campaigners told Sky News' Mornings With Ridge And Frost how urgent action was needed to tackle abuse.

One of the guests was Nour Norris, whose 22-year-old niece Raneem Oudeh was murdered along with Nour's sister Khaola Saleem at the hands of Ms Oudeh's ex-partner Janbaz Tarin in 2018.

She told the programme that even survivors "don't get heard" and that more voices were important to make changes.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'No woman should have to curb ambitions out of fear': National taskforce to tackle misogyny