Who we are

West of England Women’s Commission’s Tackling Misogyny Task Group exists to ensure women’s equality and safety.

What we cover

Misogyny exists in many areas of life - from home to the workplace and everyone has a role to play in tackling it.

Our mission

To bring together cross-sector partners to tackle the culture that underpins male violence.

Who’s involved

We cover the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority region, which comprises:

  • Bristol

  • Bath and North East Somerset

  • South Gloucestershire

Chair: Sarah O’Leary, Next Link

Members: Next Link and Safe Link, Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council: Housing, Communities and Public Health, SARSAS, South Glos. Council, Bristol Women’s Voice, Everyone Active, Bristol Youth Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council, One25, DRIVE perpetrator programme, Learning Partnership West, SGS College, University of Bristol, Centre for Gender Studies.

Annual review 25/26

Work completed this year:

The task group’s current work includes several key initiatives with partner organisations. Work is underway to embed a trauma-informed culture and staff well-being approaches within organisations, and to embed safeguarding and awareness into vocational training. New school-based prevention programmes are being commissioned. Additionally, long-term interventions for boys/men are being developed, alongside national advocacy for prevention. Workforce training on addressing cultural issues is also being delivered.

Our focus for 2026 and beyond

Looking ahead

  • Next 12 months: Focus on foundational work, including setting up the task group, identifying key partners, and mapping existing anti-misogyny toolkits, training, and awareness programs in the region to understand gaps and barriers. This phase also involves coordinating training on domestic abuse/sexual violence and beginning internal education on identifying abuse within large service providers.

  • 1-3 years: The group will create a detailed action plan and strategy for the group and key partners, and promote anti-misogyny initiatives across professional, community, and business networks, including online campaigns and in-person events. Partner actions in this period include delivering staff training on cultural issues and using sport for gender equality education.

  • 3-5 years: The long-term vision is to establish the group as a bridge across the region, secure long-term commitment from cross-sector partners, and influence national and local agencies to achieve sustainable systemic culture change.