Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith has highlighted the need to change the perceptions of gender from a young age. The local MSP was speaking in a parliamentary debate to recognise the start of 16 days of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
The SNP MSP joined with MSPs from all parties in acknowledging the need for legislative change and the Equally Safe strategy, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls.
Mr Macpherson – who has recently been supporting organisations like the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – added that ‘as part of the support, at every opportunity we must all seek to shift consciousness, change social attitudes and develop a culture of equality and non-violence.’
He said: “Violence against women today stems right back to the patriarchy, and an outdated sense of entitlement amongst too many men – and as individuals and together, as a society, we all need to play a part in challenging and changing that.
“We need to move towards a society where being a ‘man’ does not include gender stereotypes, such as being dominating or tough, not showing emotions or always feeling the need to be in charge – and where we stop using meaningless and harmful phrases like “man up” or “be like man”.
“I am committed to doing all that I can to move towards a society where the common view is to encourage young men to be respectful and act with integrity – and that real strength is found in acting with decency and treating others with dignity and respect.”
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