IT is time to “draw a line in the sand” over deep-seated sexism and misogyny in society, the First Minister said as she called on men to change their behaviour.
During FMQs, Nicola Sturgeon was asked about the Mail on Sunday article which accused deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner of crossing and uncrossing her legs in a bid to distract Boris Johnson at the despatch box.
The story, which contained a quote from an anonmyous Tory MP, prompted fury at the sexism directed at Rayner.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Covid care home deaths 'embedded on my soul'
And the First Minister pointed out that she herself had been on the receiving end of similar tactics from the Daily Mail attempting to “reduce women to their legs”.
In 2017, the FM and then Prime Minister Theresa May were pictured on the front page accompanied by the headline: “Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it”.
The article was roundly condemned, but the FM noted that we “still live in a society where it is deemed acceptable for a story like that to be published in a major newspaper”.
SNP MSP Collette Stevenson asked the First Minister: “The comments directed at Angela Rayner reported at the weekend were deeply sexist and misogynistic, indeed misogyny is something that women face not just in elected office but daily.
“So can the First Minister outline what work is under way to eliminate prejudice and misogyny in Scotland and will she join me in condemning comments made towards Angela Rayner?”
MSPs in the chamber erupted into applause, and the FM noted that she was “glad to hear” cross-chamber support for Rayner.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross accused of 'misogyny' after Karen Adam 'whinge' snipe
She added: “I certainly stand in solidarity with her and condemn, unreservedly, the comments that were reported on Sunday.
“I, like everybody else, I think most people were absolutely appalled, both by the male conservative MP who thought it was ok to make these pathetic and derogatory comments but also by the fact that we still live in a society where it is deemed acceptable for a story like that to be published in a major newspaper, and there’s a lot of reflection needed on both of these points.”
The First Minister then referenced the infamous Daily Mail “Legs-it” front page of her and May.
She said: “Unfortunately I am all too familiar with in my case the Daily Mail’s tactics of attempting to reduce women politicians to their legs, a tactic which to the best of my knowledge is never used to dismiss and degrade male politicians in the way that happens to female politicians.
“This story sadly and depressingly highlighted what women already know and many women already experience on a daily basis - there is deep seated sexism and misogyny in society and it needs to be addressed.”
The FM then referenced the consultation under way which could lead to misogyny laws being introduced in Scotland, after a working group headed by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC suggested legislation to tackle the problem.
READ MORE: Probe as Scotland's Census delay news leaked to the press before Holyrood announcement
Amongst other policies, this would include a statutory aggravation of misogyny, which could lead to a harsher sentence, and a new offence of stirring up hatred against women and girls.
But the FM added that there is only so much the government can do, and that men have to play their part too.
She added: “This is something for all of us, but men in particular, to reflect on. We will rue the day we make it more difficult and less attractive for women to come forward for election to public office.
“It’s time to draw a line in the sand, and it’s time for men, not all men are misogynists, but misogyny comes from men and it’s for them to change.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here