It’s 2025. Why are Black women still fighting for respect?

“The Black woman has been the most exploited, oppressed and degraded person in the history of the world, and still, she remains the most resilient, resourceful, and dignified woman in the world”.

Malcolm X’s words resonate loudly today in workplaces and society.

In September 2025 a senior adviser to the Labour leader resigned after offensive and explicit messages about Diane Abbott MP surfaced. Despite having a 38 year career as a public servant, Diane continues to be subjected to horrific levels of misogynoir which comes as threats of sexual assault, rape and murder. This is a stark reminder of the persistent disrespect and humiliation even the most accomplished of Black women face in the public arena.  

Just days later, a parliamentary report revealed that systemic racism in England’s maternity care is disproportionately putting Black women at risk, another sobering example of how Black women’s lives, safety, and well-being are ignored across institutions.

These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a deeper, more insidious truth: Black women are still not respected in politics, not in healthcare, and certainly not in the workplace.

Sexual harassment in the workplace: a reality for Black women

The TUC’s report, “And then it clicked … Black women’s experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace,” explores how the intersection of race and gender continues to silence, marginalise, and harm Black women, while demanding their constant resilience.

Based on testimonies from Black women, the findings are both painful and revealing:

• 65% experienced sexual harassment including unwelcome advances, touching, and sexualised comments.
• 51% reported negative impacts on their mental health.
• 33% were subjected to gendered, racialised stereotypes that demean women, and Black women in particular.

These are not just numbers; they are lived realities. They expose a power structure where Black women remain vulnerable, where stereotypes strip away dignity, and where speaking up is often punished rather than protected.

Misogynoir, stereotypes, and silence

At the heart of this issue is misogynoir - a form of discrimination where racism and sexism collide to uniquely target Black women.

Stereotypes of Black women as “overly sexual,” “angry,” or “less deserving of empathy” aren’t just offensive, they’re dangerous. They fuel harassment. They create cultures of disbelief. They make reporting abuse feel like a personal and professional risk.

And too often, when Black women do speak up, they are dismissed, gaslit, or silenced altogether.

Respect denied by systems

The disrespect shown to Black women isn’t just cultural. It’s systemic.

• Labour market inequalities mean Black women are more likely to be in insecure, low-paid roles, with fewer protections or safe avenues for reporting abuse.
• Workplace policies often ignore how sexual harassment is racialised, failing to reflect the unique experiences of Black women.
• Mental health consequences are rarely acknowledged, despite the long-term impact on confidence, career progression, and self-worth.

In short: the system was not built to protect Black women, and it shows.

What needs to change

The TUC’s report makes urgent, actionable recommendations. If we are serious about respect, these cannot be optional:

• Educate workplaces, unions, and policymakers on misogynoir, how racism and sexism intersect, and how this harms Black women.
• Implement zero-tolerance policies that explicitly name and address the racial dynamics of harassment.
• Full implementation of a new deal for working people to tackle economic inequality.
• Ensure Black women are not trapped in precarious employment without protection.
• Centre Black women’s voices in creating the solutions because those most affected must lead the way.

Black women deserve more than resilience

Despite all of this, Black women continue to rise. Showing strength, dignity, and brilliance in systems that too often fail them. But resilience should not be a requirement for survival.

Respect for Black women is not optional. It is overdue.

When we respect Black women, we don’t just protect them, we raise the standard for all women, for all workers, and for society as a whole.