Violence Against Women in Politics

Top UN officials on Tuesday gathered with government and civil society representatives to draw attention to the scourge of violence against women worldwide who are involved in politics, which is increasingly seeing women parliamentarians, human rights defenders and electoral observers silenced, and intimidated. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was one of the more high-profile targets of political violence when prosecutors say a group of men who were angry about restrictions imposed because of the pandemic plotted to kidnap the Democrat and hold a “trial” accusing her of what they called treason.

Action is needed to avoid losing a generation of women and minorities in politics, MPs have argued today.

In a report released today, the women and equalities committee says that just 34 per cent, representation of women in the House of Commons lags behind its devolved counterparts, and falls below that of comparable European nations. Only 5.7 per cent of all 650 MPs are women from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Nicola Sturgeon said she fears the forthcoming council elections will see equal representation go “backwards” as women are reluctant to enter the “toxic” world of politics.

Speaking at an event ahead of International Women’s Day, the First Minister highlighted that only three parliaments in the entire world have 50% female representation.