Scottish Government Withdraws Misogyny Law Amid Controversy

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC has criticized the Scottish government's decision to abandon plans for a new law specifically criminalizing misogyny, attributing the move to a broader retreat from so-called 'woke' issues amid political pressures. The proposed legislation would have introduced new offences targeting prejudice and harassment against women, as well as treating misogyny as an aggravating factor for sentencing. The government cited insufficient time to draft the complex law before the 2026 election, especially after a recent Supreme Court ruling defined a woman by biological sex under equality law, creating further uncertainty. Instead, ministers plan to amend existing hate crime legislation to make sex a protected characteristic. Kennedy expressed disappointment, warning that efforts to address violence and discrimination against women are increasingly dismissed as political correctness. The shelving of the bill is seen as a setback for advancing women's safety and equality.