London Mayor Sadiq Khan is taking a stand against misogyny in primary schools by urging teachers to address the harmful influence of individuals like Andrew Tate. Khan emphasizes the importance of teaching children about equality and respect from a young age, stating that it is crucial to counter the online misogyny perpetuated by influencers like Tate.
In an effort to combat this issue, the mayor’s office has launched a £1m toolkit developed by the healthy relationships charity Tender. This toolkit is designed to help teachers deliver workshops and interactive sessions to children aged nine to 11, focusing on recognizing and challenging inequality and sexism. The goal is to educate children on healthy and respectful relationships, as well as empowering them to identify red flags such as controlling behavior and the misuse of power.
The content of the toolkit is age-appropriate and does not cover topics such as sex or pornography, ensuring that children receive vital education in a safe and supportive environment. The mayor’s office is committed to a public health approach to addressing violence against women and girls, with initiatives like the #HaveAWord campaign and allyship training in secondary schools.
Susie McDonald, the chief executive of Tender, highlights the importance of teaching children about communication, empathy, and respect during their formative years. By challenging potentially harmful attitudes early on, we can prevent a culture of abuse against women and girls. The success of the toolkit is evident in the feedback from teachers, with 80% reporting increased confidence in supporting children on healthy relationships.
Overall, investing in high-quality education on gender equality and healthy relationships is essential in the fight against violence towards women and girls. By starting these conversations in primary schools, we can instill positive attitudes and behaviors in children that will carry into adulthood. Mayor Khan’s dedication to ending violence against women and girls is a step towards creating a safer and more inclusive London for all its residents.
