Violence Against Women: An International Perspective

That’s why this year’s discussion on violence against women in politics at the Commission on the Status of Women was a must see. Inspirational women in politics from all over the globe took to the (proverbial) stage to delve into their personal experiences in politics. They shared their deepest beliefs on what needs to be done and how we combat violence against women in politics.

85% of women in politics in Europe reported violence. These figures are deeply disturbing. But we can only begin to tackle this when we push harder for equality and push institutions of power to push legislation to help us prevent gender-based violence.

Threats and violence against female politicians put women in a position of fear. Fear to progress in their careers, fear to enter politics, and fear for their safety. But this aggression affects more than just those facing it. It affects all of us. It has a direct impact on the society we live in, and is a direct threat to our democracy. With women too terrified to even think about pursuing a career in politics, women across the glove are stripped of their basic human right to have a voice. How do we lay out the foundations for future generations to build upon when women are attacked just for existing in a political sphere?

Representation of women in politics has slowly been increasing. But with this brings a spike in violence, both on- and offline. They face daily abuse, both from members of the general public and their male political counterparts.

In the discussion, Serbia’s Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Gordana Comic, took a moment to share a derogatory photoshopped picture sent to her via social media. On the topic of attacks on social media, she said: “We need to ask why violence is acceptable.”

Her words cut straight to the point: women in politics are attacked solely for being women, while men don’t see the same scrutiny based on their gender. Just look at the rabid support around Donald Trump, a man caught on tape making incredibly misogynistic statements. Yet he was elected to the highest office in America for it.

Digital expressions of violence will not pass. Some may go, but others will fill their space, and we will continue to have new platforms where men can attack women with, typically, no consequence at all.

Minister Comic said she knew she was supported by men as she wouldn’t have gotten to where she has today. But she still knew, firsthand, that men feared women in positions of power. She met her attackers not with violence, but by addressing the feeling that caused the behaviour - the fear. Men feel like women in power are a direct threat to them. But we need men. We need allies. Change cannot be brought without the support of men, and this is the knowledge Comic used to get where she is today.

It seems almost paradoxical: fighting for women’s equality in politics by asking for the support of men. But a minority group is stronger with the support of its allies. There’s no space for “locker-room” talk anymore. Men need to hold other men accountable and tell them when their words are grossly inappropriate. It’s about creating an atmosphere where everyone knows what is right and what is wrong. It may seem obvious to us, but to some, it’s all too easy a line to cross.

Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, also took a moment to comment on the huge progress seen in her country, from women in political positions of power to women owning businesses. But she noted that this change didn't come overnight. Only with years and years of work in challenging social norms was this possible.

And still, Moldova faces many challenges. Women are seen as the homemakers and the wage gap has even increased over the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Comic echoed this, revisiting her experiences in which she was asked how she “harmonises” her home life and work life. A question so foreign to male politicians she began asking them the question to see their puzzled reactions.

On the topic of men’s perception of women in politics, she put it well: “Why do they combat us? Because we’re changing the power.”

So how do we fight violence against women in politics? We listen. Only then can we form a solution that actually works. But we need to do more. We need to pressure parliament to implement change - actual change - instead of just talking about it.

This is something Finnish politician Fatim Diarra feels very strongly about. She recognises that Finland is seen globally as a country that holds equality at its heart.

Finland’s amazing initiatives to help women politicians include paid social media protection services in which women who are attacked can speak to a professional to help them move forward. There are also psychiatrists ready to help them move past threats and harassment.

But as a black woman from a migrant family, she knows there’s more than meets the eye. She recognises that Finland still needs massive changes and spoke of how the country has begun to implement those changes. That is a conversation in and of itself - the treatment of Black and minority women. On top of the sexism and violence, there is a racist overtone; another hurdle in the way of equality. Representing and building up women politicians must include looking at the ways people treat minorities and how their challenges differ to women as a whole. True representation will have to look deeper.

Women have every right to have a loud presence in politics and beyond, and to fight for that right is essential. The female voice is indispensable. I’d like to close with an inspiring quote that deeply resonated with me from Minister Comic: “We are standing on the shoulders of the thousands who helped us. I owe them nothing. But I owe everything to the generations who will come after me.”