Misogyny, Misandry, and Gender-Based Violence. Prejudice and government over reach.

Misogyny and Misandry Are Different—but Both Are Harmful

Misogyny and misandry are not discussed with equal weight or importance. Misogyny has long been embedded in legal systems, institutions, and cultural norms, and violence against women remains disproportionately severe and underreported worldwide.

At the same time, misandry—hostility, contempt, or dehumanization toward men—also exists, and it has real consequences. It can manifest in:

• Social narratives that portray men as inherently dangerous or disposable

• Dismissal of male victims of abuse or sexual violence

• Cultural norms that discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help

  
  

Ignoring misandry does not strengthen the fight against misogyny; it undermines credibility and trust, particularly among young men who might otherwise be allies in change.

Female-on-Male Violence and Abuse Is Real—and Often Overlooked

Female-on-male violence and abuse, especially in domestic and emotional contexts, is significantly underreported and understudied. Many men experience:

• Psychological and emotional abuse

• Coercive control

• Physical violence

• Sexual violence

Yet male victims frequently face disbelief, ridicule, or institutional barriers when seeking support. Social expectations around masculinity—such as the belief that men should be able to “handle it”—compound this silence.

When public discourse frames gender-based violence as something men do to women, full stop, male victims are erased, and abusive behavior by women is rendered invisible. This does not protect women; it simply leaves more victims without support.

The Danger of Identity-Based Blame

Focusing interventions on “young men” as a category conflates identity with behavior. This approach:

• Racialises a problem that exists across all cultures

• Encourages defensiveness rather than reflection

• Pushes some young men toward online spaces that thrive on grievance and resentment

  
  

Extremist misogynistic movements often recruit by exploiting feelings of collective blame and social rejection. When men are told they are the problem because of who they are, rather than challenged on what they do or believe, the result is often radicalization—not reform.

Violence Is Driven by Risk Factors, Not Demographics

Evidence shows that gender-based violence correlates more strongly with factors such as:

• Exposure to violence in childhood

• Substance abuse

• Economic instability

• Social isolation

• Rigid beliefs about gender roles

  
  

These risk factors affect people of all genders and backgrounds. Effective prevention must target behaviours, environments, and beliefs, not racial or gender identities.

Toward a More Honest and Effective Framework

A constructive approach to reducing gender-based harm should:

• Condemn all forms of gender-based hatred, including misogyny and misandry

• Recognise all victims, regardless of gender

• Hold individuals accountable for actions, not identities

• Promote healthy, non-violent models of masculinity and femininity

• Ensure support services are accessible to everyone

  
  

This is not about minimizing violence against women. It is about acknowledging that exclusionary narratives create blind spots, and blind spots allow abuse to persist.

Shared Responsibility, Shared Progress

Men are essential partners in addressing violence against women. Women are essential voices in recognising abuse against men. Social change happens when empathy is extended without erasing difference, and accountability is enforced without dehumanisation.

Reducing gender-based violence requires moving beyond “us versus them” thinking toward a framework rooted in dignity, evidence, and mutual responsibility.

Conclusion

Violence does not end when blame is concentrated on one group. It ends when harmful norms are challenged wherever they appear, when victims are believed regardless of gender, and when prevention strategies are built on inclusion rather than accusation.

Misogyny and misandry both corrode empathy. Addressing one while denying the other leaves the work unfinished—and the harm unresolved.

A true story at: https://amzn.eu/d/hi4iSpr

#violenceagainstwomen #violenceagainstwomenandgirls #violenceagainstmen #misogyny #misandry