Examining Online Abuse Against Women in Politics

A study conducted by Professor Anne Rasmussen of King’s College London and Dr. Gregory Eady from the University of Copenhagen reveals critical insights into the online abuse faced by women in politics. Published in the American Political Science Review, the research indicates that attacks on female politicians are not only more frequent but also tend to be rooted in misogyny, contrasting sharply with the nature of abuse directed at their male counterparts.

Understanding the Implications of Misogynistic Attacks

Professor Rasmussen underscores that “attacks on women are less likely than those on men to be seen as driven by other factors, such as policy disagreements.” This highlights a profound systemic issue where female politicians face a dual challenge—not just hostile behaviors but also the broader implications of their gender in political spheres.

The Broader Impact on Political Discourse

The findings suggest that hostile political behavior poses a significant societal concern due to its potential to degrade political discourse and representation. According to the researchers, “politically toxic behaviour is especially problematic if its harm is more severe for politicians who are currently underrepresented in politics, such as women.”

Current Trends in Women’s Representation

The situation in Europe is particularly concerning, where, despite ongoing efforts for gender equality, women remain underrepresented at multiple levels of governance. The European Parliament notes a marked decline in female leadership, with fewer women in political roles than previously. Amidst a global backlash against women’s rights, acts of violence—both online and offline—have significantly impacted female representation in politics.

Global Statistics on Women’s Political Representation

• Only 27 countries currently have a woman serving as head of state or government.
• Women account for merely 22.9% of cabinet positions globally, a decrease from 23.3% in 2024, marking the first recorded decline in female cabinet ministers.
• The number of parity cabinets (those with at least 50% women) has reduced from 15 to 9 within a year.
• The number of countries with no female ministers increased from 7 to 9 in the past year.

Regional Insights

Currently, Europe and Northern America show the highest representation of women in cabinet roles at 31.4%, while Central and Southern Asia lag significantly at 9%.

Trends in the European Parliament

Since the inception of directly elected European Parliament members (MEPs) in 1979, female representation has fluctuated. Currently, women hold 38.5% of the seats, a slight decrease from the previous 39.8% prior to elections in recent years. The European Parliament’s representation of women is above the global average when compared to national parliaments.

Leadership Initiatives within the European Parliament

Roberta Metsola, a Maltese MEP, has been serving as the president of the European Parliament since January 2022 and was re-elected in July 2024. During her tenure, she aims to introduce measures that enhance maternity provisions for MEPs, allowing those on maternity leave to delegate their votes.