Democratic debates and policies thrive on the exchange of diverse viewpoints. However, it has long been acknowledged that politically active individuals often face harsher scrutiny and challenges regarding their opinions, with resilience typically assumed as part of the system.

Recent research reveals a concerning trend: male and female politicians are equally targeted by online harassment yet female politicians and those from marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted by objectifying and misogynistic attacks. Preliminary findings from a study led by Luise and her colleagues in Brazil during the national election campaign indicate that increased instances of digital violence against politicians result in a notable reduction in their online activity. This misogynous digital violence not only harms individual politicians but also poses a significant threat to the democratic system itself, as it discourages representation from various population groups. Moreover, a climate of personal hostility can deter many from participating in political life altogether.

The article also highlights Kanksshi Agarwal, founder of the NETRI Foundation in India, which empowers women to pursue political careers and provides support in finding a healthy approach to the digital landscape. Kanksshi is involved in the research project ‘Understanding, Detecting, and Mitigating Online Misogyny against Politically Active Women’ at the Professorship for Global Health, where Luise is also pursuing her doctorate.

For further insights, you can read the full article in both English and French on the publisher's website.