Digital Harassment of Women Leaders: Issues and Solutions Factsheet
Summary of findings from a rapid review of evidence on digital harassment of women leaders
Abstract
Digital harassment of women leaders is now a disturbingly normal experience for women parliamentarians and politicians, journalists, academics, feminist commentators and activists around the world. Online rape and death threats are commonplace, as are vulgar, graphic, sexual and objectifying comments, threats and insults. These experiences reflect existing patterns of violence and discrimination against women and girls, both in the political sphere and more broadly: women are more likely to experience severe forms of online harassment and abuse than men, including cyberstalking and death threats. These acts not only cause significant psychological, emotional and even physical harm, spilling over into real-world acts of abuse, violence or self-harm, but collectively work to constrain women’s voice and agency in public spaces and undermine democratic culture and practices. There are few existing initiatives to systematically address digital harassment of women leaders
Citation
Stevens, S. (2018) Digital Harassment of Women Leaders: Issues and Solutions Factsheet, VAWG Helpdesk Research Report No. 214. London, UK: VAWG Helpdesk.
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