How do I challenge sexism?

How do I challenge sexism?

Let’s talk about misogynistic language, how it relates to violence and abuse against women and girls and why it’s so important to challenge it. Misogynistic and sexist language, jokes and satire can lay the foundations for further sexist behaviour and even set the basis for violence and abuse against women and girls.  

Here’s the thing: using sexist language contributes to a culture that excuses and trivialises violence and abuse against women and girls. When sexist slurs, degrading jokes, and harmful stereotypes go unchecked, they reinforce the idea that women and girls are less worthy of respect. This kind of language creates a culture where controlling, harassing, or even harming women and girls is excused, ignored and tolerated.

When we ignore or laugh off things like casual sexism, gender stereotypes, or controlling behaviours in relationships, we’re allowing those attitudes to spread. And for some of our friends— especially women and girls —these “small” moments can build up into something much more dangerous. 

Over time, this can escalate from casual disrespect to real-life harm. It desensitises people to the impact of gender-based violence and abuse, making it easier for abusers to justify their actions and harder for women and girls to be believed or supported.  

So what do we do?

If your mate is constantly putting down women, making “jokes” about controlling their partner, suggesting girls can only do certain roles or tasks, or dismissing someone’s concerns, that’s a red flag. These attitudes make it easier for harassment, coercion, and abuse to thrive. Even if you don’t see it happening to you, someone close to you might be dealing with it and feeling like they can’t speak up. 

Challenging these behaviours—whether in a group chat, at school, online or in public —sends a message. It tells the people around you that you stand against this culture of violence and abuse against women and girls. By calling it out, we’re creating a safer world for everyone. 

What counts as sexist language?

Great question, as this could be a number of things! So let’s run through some:  

• Comments or jokes that play upon harmful stereotypes.  

• Objectifying comments or jokes (e.g. rating someone’s attractiveness or making sexual comments about someone’s body).

• Excusing bad behaviour.  

• Comments that diminish or silence women and girls.  

• Sexism combined with other types of discrimination, like: ableism, ageism, anti-immigrant language, classism, homophobia, racism (E.g. making unfair assumptions about women based on their age, class, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or using sexist language that reinforces other kinds of inequality.) 

• Toxic Masculinity – reinforcing male stereotypes. 

How to respond to sexist comments or jokes online:  

• Report the comment – Most platforms enable you to report harmful comments. Use these tools to shut down hate.

• Block – If the person keeps spreading misogyny, blocking is always an option—you don’t have to engage with toxicity. 

For more information about how to be an online bystander, see Glitch’s Guide. 

TikTok’s in-app tools and resources

TikTok have various in-app tools to help prevent the spread of misogyny and hate online:

• If you come across misogyny make sure to report the comment or video and TikTok’s moderation team can review the comment or video and take appropriate action – Do not comment, share, download, or interact with the content.

• If you are experiencing hate or misogyny on your own account you can use TikTok’s in-app tools to private your account and customise who can leave comments, duet, stitch or message you.

• If you are seeing misogynistic content that you don’t want to be seeing, you can customise your for you page. If you come across a post you don’t like you can click ‘not interested’ and the algorithm should prevent content like this appearing on your for you page again, you can also filter keywords to prevent content like this from showing up on your feed..

• TikTok have a Bullying and Prevention Guide for teens, caregivers, and educators to help identify and prevent bullying and provide support.

• TikTok have also run in-app educational campaigns such as #CreateKindness, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness around online bullying, and #SpeakUpCallOut  raising awareness about online misogyny and staying safe on TikTok.

If you hear your friends using sexist language: 

• Call out your friends – We know this might be awkward or feel difficult, so perhaps keep it casual and light, say something like “Oh come on, we are better than that” or “What do you mean by that?” or just a simple “Hey, not cool” will be enough to make them think about what they’ve said.

• Lead by example – Show them what a respectful conversation looks like, by shutting down sexist jokes and conversations your friends will understand what is and is not acceptable.

For more information about challenging sexist behaviour, visit the Enough Campaign.

Advice and Support:  

If you need support around online abuse or you want to become an active bystander online, find out more from Glitch.

If you are between the ages of 14-24, see our  support page 

If you are over 24 and are worried about your relationship. Visit our information/support page to find out more and reach out for help. 

If you’re worried about your behaviour in a relationship, get in touch with Respect for support.

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