Why are female politicians more often targeted with violence? New findings confirm depressing suspicions
Source: The Conversation
Despite some progress, women remain seriously underrepresented in politics globally. As of 2023, women held only 26% of parliamentary seats and 15.8% of the positions as heads of state or government.
My new research with colleagues raises one possible factor in this representation that goes beyond discrimination in selection procedures. It is simply more dangerous for women to pursue careers in politics than men. They are far more likely to become targets of violence.
In Italy, where we conducted our study, elected female mayors are approximately three times more likely to experience an attack than their male equivalents.
The reasons behind women’s ongoing underrepresentation in the corridors of power are multifaceted. Research has explored factors from political parties sidelining women and voter discrimination, to cultural norms and traditional familial expectations. Political violence might be part of the story.
Read here the full article published by The Conversation on 26 November 2024.
Image by The Conversation
Despite some progress, women remain seriously underrepresented in politics globally. As of 2023, women held only 26% of parliamentary seats and 15.8% of the positions as heads of state or government.
My new research with colleagues raises one possible factor in this representation that goes beyond discrimination in selection procedures. It is simply more dangerous for women to pursue careers in politics than men. They are far more likely to become targets of violence.
In Italy, where we conducted our study, elected female mayors are approximately three times more likely to experience an attack than their male equivalents.
The reasons behind women’s ongoing underrepresentation in the corridors of power are multifaceted. Research has explored factors from political parties sidelining women and voter discrimination, to cultural norms and traditional familial expectations. Political violence might be part of the story.
Read here the full article published by The Conversation on 26 November 2024.
Image by The Conversation
