‘Misogyny survives because it is normalised'

As a Labour Councillor, community practitioner, magistrate and Black woman in leadership, I have spent much of my life advocating for those whose voices are too often overlooked. Throughout my career in social work, public service and politics, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that misogyny continues to have on women's lives, opportunities and wellbeing. Some people assume that misogyny is a problem that belongs to history. After all, women can vote, hold public office and occupy positions of leadership. Bristol24/7 Presents: Drag Quiz Night Join us for our Drag Quiz Night to fundraise for Bristol24/7's independent journalism on September 30 2026, 6pm at the Pump House, Bristol. Find out more and book your ticket here Yet despite these advances, misogyny remains deeply embedded within our institutions, workplaces, communities and political structures. As a woman in public life, I know these challenges all too well. Over the years, I have attended countless meetings where a point I made was overlooked, only for the same idea to be repeated moments later by a male colleague and suddenly gain support. Many women reading this will recognise that experience. Maya Angelou once said: 'When a woman tells a man no, she's called difficult. When a man tells a woman no, he's called decisive.' That also rings true with me. As a Black woman, experiences of misogyny are often compounded by racism and cultural stereotypes. There are times when our competence is questioned before we have even spoken. There are times when our achievements are scrutinised more closely, our mistakes remembered longer and our contributions acknowledged less readily than those of others. I remember speaking to a highly qualified Black professional who described attending a senior leadership meeting where she was mistaken for administrative support despite being one of the most senior people in the room. 'It wasn't just the mistake,' she told me. 'It was the assumption behind it. It reminded me that no matter how hard I worked, some people would still struggle to see me as a leader.' These experiences may seem small in isolation, but over time they accumulate. They affect confidence, wellbeing, and career progression. They are examples of the barriers that many women, particularly Black women and women from other marginalised communities, continue to face. Despite these barriers, I have always refused to allow prejudice to define my potential. Instead, I have remained focused on service, integrity and creating pathways for others who may follow. Throughout my work in communities across Bristol, I have met women whose lives have been shaped by inequality. I have worked with survivors of domestic abuse who spent years questioning their own worth because they had been told their voices did not matter. I have met young women who doubted their ability to become leaders because they had never seen someone who looked like them in positions of authority. I have listened to female councillors, campaigners and community activists who considered stepping away from public life entirely because of the abuse they received online. Examples of this can be seen in local government, where some female councillors have reported receiving hostile messages after participating in council debates. Instead of challenging their views, critics have targeted their appearance, family circumstances and legitimacy as elected representatives. Male politicians certainly face criticism too, but women are disproportionately targeted with attacks that focus on their gender, appearance or personal lives rather than their ideas. When women are excluded from leadership, society loses talent, creativity and experience. When women are subjected to abuse or discrimination, communities are weakened. When girls grow up believing their voices matter less than those of boys, inequality is reproduced for another generation. Misogyny survives because it is normalised. Comments are dismissed as jokes. Harassment is minimised. Women are encouraged to 'grow a thicker skin' instead of organisations addressing harmful cultures. Silence protects inequality. One of the most damaging aspects of misogyny is the reluctance of bystanders to speak out. Silence can send a powerful message that discrimination is acceptable, allowing harmful behaviours and attitudes to become normalised. Misogyny thrives not only because of those who perpetuate it but also because of the silence of those who witness it. Every time misogyny goes unchallenged, it sends a message that women's experiences do not matter. Every time a woman withdraws from political life, leadership or public debate because of abuse or intimidation, democracy is diminished. This is particularly concerning in local government and politics, where women continue to face disproportionate levels of hostility, particularly online. We cannot build representative institutions if talented women are driven away by toxic behaviour. As a Labour councillor, I am proud to be part of a movement that believes equality should never be a privilege reserved for a few. Labour values teach us that every person deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to succeed. As a woman in leadership, I know that progress has been made. But I also know there is still much work to do. I think about the women who came before my generation and fought for opportunities many of us now take for granted. I think about the young girls watching today's leaders and deciding what is possible for their own futures. And I think about the responsibility we all have to ensure they inherit a fairer world than the one we found. The challenge before us is not simply to condemn misogyny when we see it. It is to build systems, institutions and cultures where it can no longer take root. That requires courage, solidarity and a collective commitment to justice. Those are Labour values. Those are my values. And those are the values that will continue to guide my work in public service and community leadership. Because silence has never created change. People do. And I refuse to stay silent. Carole Johnson is the councillor for Horfield and Bristol Labour Group's deputy leader. Main photo: Betty Woolerton Read next: