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Sexism:
See it.
Name it.
Stop it.
#StopSexism #MeToo
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
 




SEXISM IS ANY EXPRESSION (ACT, WORD, IMAGE, GESTURE) BASED ON THE IDEA THAT SOME
PERSONS, MOST OFTEN WOMEN, ARE INFERIOR BECAUSE OF THEIR SEX.

 




SEXISM IS HARMFUL.
IT PRODUCES FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS, SELF-CENSORSHIP, CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR,
AND A DETERIORATION IN HEALTH.
SEXISM LIES AT THE ROOT OF
GENDER INEQUALITY.
IT AFFECTS WOMEN AND GIRLS DISPROPORTIONATELY.

 



Sexism is present in all areas of life.

 


63% of women journalists have been confronted with verbal abuse

 


Women spend almost twice as much time as men on unpaid housework (OECD
countries)

 


80% of women stated that they have been confronted with the phenomenon of
“mansplaining” and “manterrupting” at work

 


Men represent 75% of news sources and subjects in Europe

 


In the UK, 66% of 16-18-year-old girls surveyed experienced or witnessed the use
of sexist language at school

 


59% of women in Amsterdam reported some form of street harassment

 


In France, 50% of young women surveyed recently experienced injustice or
humiliation because they are women

 


In Serbia, research indicates that 76% of women in business are not taken as
seriously as men

 




VIOLENCE SOMETIMES STARTS
WITH A JOKE




INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF SEXISM MAY SEEM BENIGN, BUT THEY CREATE A CLIMATE OF
INTIMIDATION, FEAR AND INSECURITY.
THIS LEADS TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENCE, MOSTLY AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.

 



This is why the Council of Europe has decided to
act by adopting a Recommendation to
prevent and combat sexism.

 
 


 

Sexism affects mostly women.
It can also affect men and boys
when they don’t conform to
stereotyped gender roles.

 



The harmful impact of sexism can be worse for some women and men due to their
ethnicity, age, disability, social origin, religion, gender identity, sexual
orientation or other factors.


 



Some groups of women, for example young women, politicians, journalists or
public figures, are particular targets of sexism

 
%

of women elected to Parliament have been the target of sexist attacks on social
networks

 




SEE IT. NAME IT. STOP IT.

Language and communication Media, Internet and social media Workplace Public
sector Justice Education Culture and sport Private sphere
PrevNext


LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

Examples of sexism in language and communications:

The generic use of the masculine gender by a speaker (“he/his/him” to refer to
an unspecific person). The cover of a publication depicting men only. The naming
of a woman by the masculine term for her profession. A communication campaign
including gratuitous nudity. An advertisement with a man showing a woman how to
use a washing machine.

Why should it be addressed?

Language and communication matter because they make people visible or invisible
and recognise or demean their contribution to society. Our language shapes our
thought, and the way we think influences our actions. Gender-blind or
discriminatory language reinforces sexist attitudes and behaviour.

How to prevent it?

Use both the feminine and the masculine when addressing a mixed audience. Review
public communication to make sure it uses gender-sensitive language and imagery.
Produce manuals on gender-sensitive communication for different audiences.
Promote research in this area.


LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

Examples of sexism in language and communications:

The generic use of the masculine gender by a speaker (“he/his/him” to refer to
an unspecific person). The cover of a publication depicting men only. The naming
of a woman by the masculine term for her profession. A communication campaign
including gratuitous nudity. An advertisement with a man showing a woman how to
use a washing machine.

Why should it be addressed?

Language and communication matter because they make people visible or invisible
and recognise or demean their contribution to society. Our language shapes our
thought, and the way we think influences our actions. Gender-blind or
discriminatory language reinforces sexist attitudes and behaviour.

How to prevent it?

Use both the feminine and the masculine when addressing a mixed audience. Review
public communication to make sure it uses gender-sensitive language and imagery.
Produce manuals on gender-sensitive communication for different audiences.
Promote research in this area.


MEDIA, INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Examples of sexism in the media:

A sexualised depiction of women in the media. An all-male TV show. Media
reporting on violence against women which blames the victim. Journalists, most
often women, receiving comments on social media based on their appearance
instead of the issues they discuss. Internet applications sending some job
adverts to men only because algorithms are built in a discriminatory way.

Why should it be addressed?

Children and others are bombarded with sexist media messages and influenced by
them. Such messages limit their own choices in life. They give the impression
that men are the keepers of knowledge and power and that women are objects and
it’s ok to comment freely on their appearance. Online sexism pushes women out of
online spaces. Online sexism can cause very real harm. Abusing or mocking
someone online creates a permanent digital record that can be further
disseminated and is difficult to erase.

How to prevent it?

Implement legislation on gender equality in media. Train media and communication
professionals on gender equality. Ensure that women and men are represented in a
balanced way and in diverse, non-stereotypical roles in the media. Promote
advertisements that play with, and raise awareness of, gender stereotypes rather
than reinforce them. Provide digital literacy training especially for young
people and children. Legally define and criminalise (online) sexist hate speech.
Put in place specialised services to provide advice on how to deal with online
sexism.


WORKPLACE

Examples of sexism at the workplace:

The practice of unofficially excluding women who have children from career
opportunities. In meetings, ignoring women, appropriating their contributions or
silencing them. Favouring a man rather than a woman for a managerial position by
presuming her lack of authority. Gratuitous comments about physical appearance
or dress (which undermine women as professionals). Derogatory comments to men
taking on caring roles. “Mansplaining”.

Why should it be addressed?

Workplace sexism undermines the efficiency of victims and their sense of
belonging. Silencing through sexism means that ideas or talents are ignored or
under-used. Belittling comments create an intimidating/oppressive atmosphere for
those confronted with them and can degenerate in violence/harassment. Victims
may develop higher anxiety levels, be more prone to outbursts and depression.
More generally, sexism leads to lower salaries and fewer opportunities for those
confronted with it.

How to prevent it?

Adopt and implement codes of conduct defining sexist behaviour and prevent it
through training. Put in place complaint mechanisms, disciplinary measures and
support services. Managers must state and show their commitment to act against
sexism.


PUBLIC SECTOR

Examples of sexism in the public sector:

Sexualised comments or comments about the appearance or family situation of
politicians, most often women, including within parliaments. Comments about the
sexual orientation or appearance of users by staff of public services. Sexist
representations / posting of images of naked women in public workplaces (e.g.
hospital staff rooms). Comments on women’s appearance in public spaces,
including public transport.

Why should it be addressed?

The public sector has a duty to lead by example. Sexism in parliaments is very
common but it limits the opportunities and freedom of women in parliaments, be
they elected or staff. Sexism undermines equal access to public services. Sexism
in public spaces limits women’s freedom of movement. Sexism can lead to violence
and creates an oppressive environment preventing mostly women from fully
participating in public life.

How to prevent it?

Training of staff. Put in place codes of conduct, complaint mechanisms,
disciplinary measures and support services.  Implement awareness raising
campaigns, such as toolkits or posters in public space explaining what sexism
is. Promote gender balance in decision-making. Promote research and the
gathering of data on the issue.


JUSTICE

Examples of sexism in the justice system:

A judge implying to a victim of sexual violence that she was ‘asking for it’. A
law professional commenting on the appearance of a woman who is a colleague. A
police officer not taking an allegation of violence against women seriously or
trivialising it.

Why should it be addressed?

Such behaviour can lead to victims dropping cases. They create distrust in the
justice system. They can lead to misinformed judgments. They demean women and
can push them out of legal professions.

How to prevent it?

Implement policies on women’s equal access to justice. Train legal and law
enforcement professionals. Deconstruct judicial stereotyping through
awareness-raising campaigns. Ensure professionals base their judgments on facts,
on the behaviour of the perpetrator and the context of the case rather than the
victim’s clothing, for example.


EDUCATION

Examples of sexism in education:

Textbooks containing stereotypical images of women/men, boys/girls. The absence
of women as writers, historical or cultural figures in textbooks. Career and
education counselling discouraging non-stereotypical career or study choices.
Teachers making comments about the appearance of pupils/students/fellow
teachers. Sexualised comments to girls. Bullying of non-conforming
pupils/students by fellow pupils /students or education professionals. The
absence of awareness /procedures / reactions to address such sexist behaviour.

Why should it be addressed?

The content of education and behaviour of education professionals heavily
influences perceptions and behaviour. A climate of sexism in learning
establishments negatively affects the achievements of pupils/students. Sexism in
education can limit future individual career and lifestyle choices.

How to prevent it?

Implement policies and legislation on gender equality in education. Review
textbooks to ensure that they are free of sexism and that they depict women as
well as men in non-stereotypical roles. Ensure the representation of women as
scientists, artists, athletes, leaders, politicians in textbooks and programmes.
Teach women’s history. Ensure the availability of complaint mechanisms. Teach
gender equality issues as well as sexuality education (including consent and
personal boundaries). Train education professionals on unconscious bias.


CULTURE AND SPORT

Examples of sexism in culture and sport:

Sportswomen depicted in the media according to their family role and not their
skills and strengths. Trivialising women’s sporting achievements. Demeaning men
who play “feminine” sports. Women in sexy outfits as “decoration” in cultural or
sporting events. Absence of women’s work in art exhibitions. Scarcity of
meaningful roles for women in cinema and the virtual absence of roles for older
actresses. Scarcity of funding for film production in which women have a
leadership role. Under-resourcing of women’s art.

Why should it be addressed?

Both culture and sport are shapers of attitudes. If women and men are depicted
in stereotyped ways, this will feed into gender stereotyping. When mostly men
are visible in these areas, this influences the way women are seen as potential
artists or athletes and narrows the range of role models for children and young
people. Gender stereotypes limit the choice of women/men girls/boys to practice
sports that are not considered “feminine” or “masculine”; this leads to
self-censorship. In both areas, sexism leads to lower salaries and fewer
opportunities for those confronted with it.

How to prevent it?

Measures to encourage creative work by women and gender mainstreaming in
cultural and sport policies (scholarships, exhibitions, training, provision of
space/workshops). Ensure better and more media coverage of women’s sports and
art. Encourage sponsors to support women’s arts and sports. Adopt codes of
conduct to prevent sexist behaviour, including provision for disciplinary action
in sports federations. Encourage leading sport and cultural figures to speak up
against sexism and implement campaigns to denounce violence in sport and sexist
hate speech.


PRIVATE SPHERE

Examples of sexism in the private sphere:

Women performing more unpaid (care and household) work than men, for example
only women helping to wash dishes at a dinner party. Sexist jokes between
friends. Systematically offering “feminine” or “masculine” toys to girls/boys.
Boys being encouraged to run and take risks and girls to be docile and
compliant. The use of expressions like “running like a girl” or “boys will be
boys”.

Why should it be addressed?

Unpaid work weighs on women’s participation in the labour market, on their
economic independence as well as on their participation in sport and leisure
activities. Toys (e.g. a mini kitchen or a construction game) influence gender
roles, but also future study or career choices. Sexist jokes can intimidate and
silence people and they trivialise sexist behaviour.

How to prevent it?

Awareness-raising measures and research on the impact and the sharing of unpaid
work between women and men. Measures for reconciling private and working life
for all. Promotion of non-gendered toys. Encouraging boys as well as girls to
participate in household tasks. Giving girls, too, the space and freedom to
play, explore and be themselves.

 


Read the Recommendation on preventing and combating sexism

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