Collaborating with Everyone’s Invited and our first parent online discussion
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
“Preventing misogyny starts long before harmful behaviours appear - it starts with the everyday messages children receive about gender, respect and relationships”
What have gender stereotypes got to do with violence against women and girls?
When people think about violence against women and girls (VAWG), they often picture the most extreme forms of abuse, which unfortunately there is lots of in our society. Organisations working to prevent VAWG increasingly talk about it as a continuum. At one end are the everyday attitudes and behaviours that many of us have grown up witnessing or hearing: jokes that put girls down, assumptions that boys shouldn't cry, expectations that girls should be "nice" while boys should be "tough", or the idea that one gender is naturally better suited to certain roles than another.
On their own, these moments may seem small. But when they go unchallenged, they contribute to a culture where inequality becomes normal, disrespect is accepted, and harmful behaviours are more easily dismissed. This doesn't mean that every child who hears a stereotype will go on to harm others.
That is why prevention matters. By helping children question stereotypes, value equality, develop empathy and build respectful relationships from an early age, we are laying the foundations for safer schools, children freed from narrow expectations, healthier relationships and a future where VAWG is less likely to occur.
Everyone’s Invited and our collaboration
Everyone’s Invited was founded in 2020 as a platform for survivors to share experiences of sexual harassment and abuse, shining a light on the scale and impact of these issues. Since then, the organisation has developed a strong focus on education and prevention - including working with primary schools, secondary schools, parents and carers to help communities understand and challenge the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to harm.
Misogyny-Free Schools (MFS) shares this focus on prevention. We believe that misogyny does not appear overnight. It can be connected to everyday messages about what boys and girls are “supposed” to be like. Research shows that restrictive gender stereotypes can affect children’s wellbeing, relationships, confidence and aspirations. They can contribute to unequal expectations and create the conditions in which disrespectful attitudes and harmful behaviours can grow.
The messages children hear - at home, in school, online and through popular culture - all shape how they understand themselves, their relationships and the world around them. That is why tackling misogyny and harmful gender stereotypes requires a whole-community approach — with schools, families, young people and organisations working together to create environments where every child can thrive.
MFS and Everyone’s Invited recently collaborated on a webinar which brought parents and carers together to explore how gendered pressures and expectations affect children today and what we could do about it.
The discussion explored:
How expectations placed on boys and girls have changed — and how some stereotypes are simply being repackaged for a new generation.
The impact of online spaces and digital content on children’s understanding of gender, relationships and identity.
The ways everyday language, media and popular culture can reinforce or challenge stereotypes.
Practical steps families can take to create more equal and respectful environments at home (see graphic)
A key message from the session was that these conversations do not need to be perfect, they just need to happen.
Making conversations safer
The webinar also shared some helpful principles for having conversations with children:
Share your own experiences or reflections first.
Ask about what other people might think or experience - this might be easier for the child to respond to than asking for their own views.
Listen more than you respond.
Make a “no punishment promise” so your child will always share information and experiences with you honestly without fear of getting into trouble
Supporting at school as well as at home
At MFS, we know that parents and carers bring different strengths, skills and experiences. Not everyone will have the same amount of time, confidence or influence — but everyone can contribute. Getting involved might mean:
Sharing MFS resources with your school community.
Starting conversations with other parents.
Encouraging your school to develop a whole-school approach to challenging gender stereotypes and misogyny.
Offering your skills, networks or creativity to support positive change.
Whether you are someone who can open doors, spread ideas, create resources, connect people or simply start conversations — there is a place for you.
Building a movement for change
The response from parents during our webinar showed the appetite for action. Many families want to understand these issues better and want practical ways to support their children.
If you would like to get involved, explore our parent resources, join our community and find out how you can support your school.
Comments