Misogyny was the accepted norm...now women are taking a stand

Singer Una Healy’s reflections of her time in successful pop group The Saturdays on pages 6&7 is a sobering read. The singer recalls male photographers taking pictures up her skirt as she got into cars and unflattering images of her cellulite being splashed across the celeb mags.

It’s not a huge revelation that this went on, after all we saw the paparazzi shots day in, day out in the tabloids and the “circle of shame” articles in magazines (yes, they literally circled female celebrities’ imperfections for readers to gloat over).this was the norm as recently as six years ago. What is shocking though, is that we didn’t think to question it. It’s only now, through the post #Metoo lens, that we are able to call out this kind of sexist and misogynistic behaviour. The #Metoo movement, in reaction to the Harvey Weinstein rape case, gave women a platform to share their experiences of sexual intimidation and abuse.

Last week women rallied again when Sarah Everard was murdered on her way home from a friend’s flat in London. They told their own stories of being afraid to walk the streets after dark. Personally, I always walk in the road if it’s very late – there’s more light and less chance of being pulled into a dark corner or a car. This is something you accept as part of being female – we never really talk about it, it just is. In the same way, Una simply accepted what happened to her as part and parcel of being in a girl band.

Of course, there are varying degrees of abuse but none of this should be seen as normal.and the more women speak out, the quicker change will come.

EDITOR, JAYNE SAVVA JSAVVA@DCTMEDIA.CO.UK