Breaking the silence: Violence against women in politics

The last decades have witnessed an increased participation of women in politics. Although many have welcomed this achievement, others have expressed their discontent. In extreme cases, this discontent has manifested in the form of violence against women in politics (VAW-P). Acts of VAW-P include a wide range of aggressive behaviours targeting women in politics. These acts are often grounded in gendered aspects with the objective of discouraging women from participating in politics. A 2018 survey carried out by the Inter-parliamentary Union shows that VAW-P is indeed to be found in parliaments in Europe. However, more data is needed to uncover the true extent of the problem. The ongoing under-representation of women in politics shares many elements of VAW-P. Gender norms and stereotypes often dictate that politics should not be a place for women. Furthermore, women's increasing presence in leadership roles puts them in a more prominent position and makes them subject to stronger criticism.