Minister for Gender Equality, Nina Larsson (L), wants misogyny to be classified as terrorism – in the same way as violent Islamism, right-wing, and left-wing extremism.
– Equality is under attack, the minister proclaims.
She points out that acts of violence driven by misogyny have been committed in other parts of the world, and even if such attacks have not occurred in Sweden, she still demands that Swedish authorities take preventive action.
– We think it’s important to take the plunge and describe the threat for what it is, that it’s terrorism, that we can then get better data, better analysis so that we can understand and counteract this type of violence, she says in an interview with state television SVT.
Domestic violence should not be included in the definition. Instead, Larsson wants to focus on “violent extremism with misogyny as its basis, where incitement and violence are used to intimidate and reduce women’s power and space“.
– These are very serious crimes aimed at intimidating the ordinary Swedish population who want to live in a democratic and equal society, she warns.
“A growing problem”
In the program, she is pressed on the practical consequences of a terror classification. She believes that this could lead to a more coordinated approach, where societal resources are targeted more effectively, the knowledge base is deepened and interventions can be designed with greater accuracy.
– But if we can point out that extremist misogyny is also a major societal problem that reduces people’s freedom, then we also have the opportunity to get a better basis and much more accurate measures, I think. Just as the police are working with the current extremist environments.
It is not yet clear how the other government parties view the proposal – but Nina Larsson hopes that her party will get support on the issue.
– This is a growing problem and I think more and more people see the importance of moving forward and finding concrete measures with this. So I believe and hope that I will get the government on board with this.
