Anti-feminism of the far right

Challenging the misogynism, misogynoir and anti-feminism of the far right was a motion asserted that the far-right shares inextricably intertwined agendas ? seeking to defend the dominance of whiteness, and also the dominance of patriarchy.

This leads onto particular risks for Black women. An NHS Staff Survey said that black women are the most likely to experience discrimination from colleagues.

The motion went onto say the far right ?seeks to universalise this discrimination, harassment, and sexualised behaviours that our members face daily.?

It called on Congress to review its leading union education courses, to highlight the misogyny, misogynoir and anti-feminism that is foundational to the contemporary far right; compile information on how affiliate unions have acted Black women?s experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace; support the union movement?s workplace and community organising against the far right through political lobbying.

Unite delegate Pat Davis, was due to speak in favour of the motion, but was not called.

We?ve included her speech as a comment:

Misogynists are the shock troops of the far right online. That starts with so-called pick-up artists. Then here?s the sort of sexist banter which should have been left mouldering in the 1970s. That is the thin end of the wedge.

At the other end you have poisonous lifestyle influencers who openly flaunt their misogyny.

Take the Tate Brothers, former kickboxers from Luton who now have 10 million followers on X ? sharing their lavish lifestyle of fast cars, private jets, yachts. And of course, women.

The reality behind the hatred is that the Tate Brothers stand accused of 21 charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

These charges are widely known, but these criminals continue to push hatred and misogyny to the phones and minds of millions of men and young boys.

Now of course they are in the United States, with the support of that rapist in the White House. Misogyny is central to Donald Trump?s character. Congress, make no mistake, the global far right?s agenda is to roll back decades of progress on women?s rights.

Understanding misogyny and misogynoir is critical to understanding how racism and sexism have been fused together in a weapon to divide working people and weaken our collectivism.

Our task is to reforge and strengthen that collectivism against the onslaught. That has to mean taking up misogyny in the workplace materially ? closing gender pay gaps, ending insecure work, tackling sexual harassment.

It also means challenging underrepresentation in leadership which hits women hardest ? especially Black women.

Far-right narratives scapegoat feminism for all the frustrations of men who have been let down, misled and radicalised by a failed system.

Challenging that system ? in the shape of the employers and the government ? falls to us. Trade unions must show that workplace inequality is an employer problem, not a ?women?s problem?.

We must make sure that rights won through struggle ? equal pay, maternity rights, anti-discrimination laws ? are defended from the onslaught.

We must protect these rights through bargaining, campaigns, and political action.

We must make sure that ours is a movement that fights misogyny, misogynoir, and racism.

The far right uses online spaces to spread misogyny and recruit young men into antifeminist movements. We must make sure that we not only call out these tactics but also provide alternative narratives ? which bring people back to respect, equality, and solidarity.

Women trade unionists have always been leaders in the fight for justice. Recognising and amplifying these voices strengthens not only women, but the whole movement.

Together we are stronger.

Compiled by Amanda Campbell

Photo by Mark Thomas