"Austria Under Scrutiny for Misogyny": Is Austria in Need of Lessons on Women's Oppression?
In the face of rising concerns about misogyny and toxic masculinity ideologies, including the "Incel" movement, several countries are taking steps to address these issues in schools. One such nation is Great Britain, which has announced a new initiative to counter misogyny more effectively.
Judith Goetz, an Austrian political scientist and expert on misogyny and right-wing extremism, applauds this approach in principle. However, she cautions against making these phenomena more well-known or strengthening them.
The British strategy centers on updated statutory Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, introduced in 2025. This guidance aims to protect children from misogynistic myths and harmful online influences. It does so by helping boys identify positive male role models, challenging misogynistic myths, and teaching children about the dangers of online content, AI, deepfakes, and the link between pornography and misogyny.
Moreover, the guidance emphasizes teaching children positive relationships, respect, kindness, and how to recognize and seek help from abusive behaviour. It also equips pupils to understand when relationships are unsafe and where to get help. A whole-school approach integrating wellbeing, safeguarding, and positive behaviour policies is also promoted.
The guidance stresses avoiding language that normalizes harmful behaviour or stigmatizes boys, and emphasizes participative, skilled teaching by trained staff to create safe learning environments.
In Austria, while the Ministry of Education refers to its "reflective gender pedagogy" as a cross-curricular topic in primary and secondary education, implementation remains lacking. Goetz suggests anchoring gender-reflective pedagogy as a pillar in teacher training in Austria.
Role-plays and perspective-taking could be effective tools for teaching empathy and alternatives to violence and devaluation, according to Goetz. Communication skills, particularly for boys who struggle to discuss feelings, need strengthening.
The example set by Great Britain serves as a comprehensive statutory education-based strategy to combat misogyny and incel culture in schools. However, it's crucial to note that in the context of the multiple crises the world is currently facing, including the economy, war, climate, and pandemic, more efforts are needed to reach and help those who may find it harder to change, such as withdrawn "Incels."
Meanwhile, Matthew, a former "Incel" from Australia, reflects on his extreme views and has distanced himself from the movement. He joined the "Incel" movement around 15 years ago, a group of heterosexual men who blame women for their celibacy and spread misogynistic content online.
As the battle against misogyny and toxic masculinity continues, it's clear that education, coupled with support from social media companies to police harmful content, will play a crucial role in protecting young people and fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society. Training grants and online resources will support teachers in delivering these updated curricula effectively from early 2026 onwards.
- What is the current concern that several countries are addressing in schools regarding misogyny and toxic masculinity ideologies?
- Which nation has announced a new initiative to counter misogyny more effectively?
- What is the main objective of the British strategy to address these issues in schools?
- What does the updated guidance aim to protect children from in relation to misogyny?
- What does the updated guidance teach children about online content, AI, deepfakes, and the link between pornography and misogyny?
- What key aspects does the guidance emphasize in terms of relationships, behaviour, and language for children?
- What lacks in the implementation of gender-reflective pedagogy in Austria according to Judith Goetz?
- What tools does Goetz suggest for teaching empathy and alternatives to violence and devaluation in schools?
- What is the approach that Great Britain has taken in educating children about misogyny and incel culture considered as?
- What are some of the multiple crises the world is currently facing, according to the text?
- What did Matthew, a former "Incel", join around 15 years ago and later distanced himself from?
- What role will education, social media companies, and training grants play in the battle against misogyny and toxic masculinity?
- When will teachers in Great Britain be provided with online resources to effectively deliver the updated curricula regarding misogyny and toxic masculinity?
