Is calling a woman ‘auntie’ ageist harassment – or a mark of respect? It’s a trickier question than you think

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April 1, 2026

Lola Okolosie, The Guardian

**The Listen to your aunties! campaign from DKMS UK, a charity fighting against blood cancer and blood disorders. Photograph: DKMS**

It should be uncontroversial to state that what we want to be called – or do not want to be called – should be respected. This simple enough principle is what defined the grievance between NHS co-workers Ilda Esteves and her colleague Charles Oppong.

Last week, an employment tribunal ruled in Esteves’ favour, agreeing she was subjected to harassment from Oppong for his repeated references to her as “auntie”. The healthcare assistant was awarded £1,425 in compensation.

The tribunal heard that Oppong defended his actions by claiming “auntie” was, in his Ghanaian culture, a term of respect for older women. But Esteves, 61, had asked him to stop. He did not.

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