The European Parliament held a debate on Wednesday 9 June on cyber-violence against women in politics. All groups took a similar position, strongly denouncing the threats, attacks, harassment, and intimidation online to which female politicians in particular are exposed.
“Last year, the World Wide Web Foundation found that 52% of young women and girls had experienced online violence, including threats and sexual harassment”, said EU Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli.
This violence, she said, makes it even more difficult for women to participate in political life. The latter “represent only one third of the seats in the EU’s national parliaments and only 21% of the leaders of the main political parties”, she stressed.
Like the Commissioner, many speakers emphasised the consequences of this cyber-violence, which was regularly referred to in the debate as an attack on democracy. In particular, they lamented that it discourages women from entering the political arena, promotes self-censorship, and brings their careers to a premature end.
In addition, several female MEPs have claimed to have been victims of such violence themselves. “Let’s not be censored, let’s not be muzzled”, said Renew Europe coordinator Samira Rafaela (the Netherlands). “Stay in politics, fight for your ambitions!” she exhorted.
“It is a pity that the EU does not have legislation to protect female politicians” from such violence, said Polish S&D coordinator Robert Biedroń.
On this point, Portuguese Secretary of State Ana Paula Zacarias, representing the Council of the EU, said she was counting on the future Digital Services Act (DSA) to “facilitate intervention against illegal abuse and online violence within the Union’s borders”.
MEP Sylwia Spurek, speaking on behalf of the Greens/EFA group, said that Parliament would soon ask the Commission for a dedicated legislative initiative. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)