Sexism In The UK Is More 'In Your Face' Than In Any Other Country And This Is Why...
Rashida Manjoo, a United Nations human rights expert, has said that sexism in the UK is more 'in your face' than any other country she has visited.
Rashida Manjoo, a United Nations human rights expert, has said that sexism in the UK is more 'in your face' than any other country she has visited.
Sexism in the UK is more 'pervasive' and 'in your face' than any other country.
That's the message UN spokeman Rashida Manjoo wants to get across.
The UN investigator tasked with looking at violence against women said that the UK has a 'boys' club sexist culture' which is worse than other countries she's visited, including Zambia, Jordan, Somalia and Algeria.
She shared the preliminary findings of her report on Tuesday and said: 'Have I seen this level of sexist culture in other countries? It hasn’t been so in your face in other countries. I haven’t seen that so pervasively in other countries. I’m sure it exists but it wasn’t so much and so pervasive.'
Let's breakdown exactly why Rashida Manjoo believes sexism in the UK is worse than in other countries:
1. Women are sexualised. She blamed the 'easy availability of porn' and the use of social media, referencing the recent 'Women Who Eat On Tubes' trend of people taking pictures of women eating on the London Undergound, and posting them on Facebook. She said: 'When you’re sitting on public transport and it’s OK to harass someone, to inappropriately touch them, it’s sexist culture.'
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2. Sexual bullying and harassment in schools is 'routine'. She believes sexism modules should become mandatory in schools.
3. The British media is responsible for 'negative and over-sexualised portrayals of women', she specifically called the media up on the 'marketisation' of women's bodies. Essentially, the way women are perceived is all wrong.
4. Public spending cuts haven't helped women. In fact, she believes they've had a 'disproportionate impact' on women, she raised particular concern about the reductions in legal aid for domestic violence victims.
What do you think? Is sexism rife in the UK? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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