Teachers provided training for classroom sessions for children to learn about inequality and sexism.
The major of London told teachers tackling the “pernicious influence” of misogynists in elementary is a crucial part of teaching pupils about respect and equality and respect.
The major of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued written statements to every primary school in London urging them to counter the online misogyny of influencers like Andrew Tate via new workshops and classes established across the capital as part of plans to combat violence against women and girls.
Khan stated: “It’s never too early to start educating young Londoners about the need to treat one another fairly and kindly.” “There has never been a more important time to counter the pernicious influence of those who preach misogyny online. We must ensure that young people are clear what healthy and respectful relationships are about before they start seeing content from individuals like Andrew Tate online.”
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The office of the major has created a £1m toolkit to assist teachers in countering dangerous messages from influencers after research disclosed that one in three young males have a positive view of Tate, a self-proclaimed misogynist. Also, one in ten children watched pornography by the time they were nine years old.
The Healthy Relationships charity Tender developed the toolkit and trained teachers on how to run workshops, interactive classroom sessions, and drama to educate 9 to 11-year-olds on how to recognize and call out sexism and inequality.
Children will be taught to identify potential red flags like controlling behaviour, misuse of power, and pressure in relationships, as well as identify positive aspects of relationships. Students will be taught what their rights are and where to find support.
Major’s office spokesperson stated that the content would be “age-appropriate” for pupils of primary school age and would not cover pornography or sex.
English schools have made relationship and sex education compulsory since 2019. The previous government was looking to roll it back and drafted new guidance to limit what pupils could be taught by May this year.
Experts claim that if the Labor government has achieved its objective of halving violence against girls and women in a decade, investing in high-quality education is vital.
The chief executive of Tender, Susie McDonald, acknowledged that discussing gender inequality and healthy relationships could be difficult but stated primary school was a crucial time for kids to learn about communicating, respect and empathy.
She stated: “It’s imperative that children learn about healthy relationships and are supported to build positive attitudes and behaviours.” “By challenging potentially problematic attitudes at their root, we can prevent a culture of abuse against women and girls.”
The full launch follows a trial in which 230 teachers received training. Tender research claims that 80% of teachers “reported increased confidence to support children and young people about healthy relationships” after using the tool.
Khan stated that City Hall was dedicated to a public health approach to tackling violence against women and girls, pointing £2m of funding for the mayor violence reduction unit and the #HaveAWord campaign and allyship training in secondary schools.
Khan stated: “I will continue to do everything within my control to warrant that ending violence against girls and women is treated with the extreme urgency both by our police and society as a whole to build a safer London for all.”
