Scottish Greens Commit to Misogyny Legislation as National Emergency Measure
The Scottish Greens have made a firm commitment to introduce a dedicated misogyny Bill in the next Scottish Parliament, framing the issue as a national emergency that demands immediate legislative action. Co-leader Gillian Mackay announced that her party will bring forward a Misogyny and Criminal Justice Bill, which aims to tackle misogynistic harassment, incitement, and abuse by formally recognising misogyny as a specific criminal offence under Scots law.
Criticism of SNP's Approach and Legislative Plans
Mackay launched a sharp critique against the SNP government, accusing it of lacking the urgency required to address what she described as a critical societal crisis. This comes after the Scottish Government previously abandoned plans for a standalone misogyny Bill, opting instead to amend the existing Hate Crime Act to include sex as a protected characteristic.
First Minister John Swinney had cited the implications of a Supreme Court judgment on the definition of a woman and insufficient parliamentary time before the upcoming May election as reasons for not proceeding with a separate Bill in the current session. In contrast, the Greens have included the reintroduction of a standalone misogyny Bill as a key pledge in their Holyrood election promises.
Broader Strategy and Funding for Prevention Services
Beyond legislation, the Scottish Greens outlined a comprehensive strategy to combat violence against women and girls. The party plans to allocate funding for violence prevention services across local councils, schools, and community organisations. This holistic approach aims to address the root causes and provide support at grassroots levels.
Gillian Mackay emphasised that while legislation is crucial, it represents only one component of a larger solution. She stated, "Violence against women and girls is a national emergency which must be urgently tackled. Sadly, we haven't seen that urgency from the Scottish Government to date, who shelved their plans."
Global Context and Social Media Challenges
Mackay highlighted the broader global context, pointing to a resurgence of misogyny influenced by figures like Donald Trump and far-right movements. She noted that social media platforms have exacerbated the problem, creating increasingly hostile environments for women and girls through online harassment.
"In an age where we are seeing a global revival of misogyny, spurred on by Donald Trump and the wider far-right movement, it feels like we are going backwards," she remarked. Mackay stressed the importance of ensuring that reports of harassment and assault, whether physical or digital, are taken seriously and acted upon through legal frameworks.
SNP Response and Commitment to Legislation
In response, Siobhian Brown, SNP candidate for Ayr, reaffirmed her party's commitment to addressing misogyny. She stated, "As per our manifesto commitment, we recognise women face abuse in their everyday lives and need increased protection against this – that's why we will bring forward a Misogyny Bill to legislate to ensure harassment and abuse based on misogyny is outlawed in Scotland."
Mackay concluded by underscoring the need for institutional and cultural change across society, asserting that the proposed Bill must be part of a wider transformation to prevent individuals from escaping accountability for misogynistic abuse.
