According to the report from Uppsala University, female politicians are exposed to more hate and threats than their male colleagues. Women in leading roles are hit the hardest, and the harassment women receive is often harsher, more personal and connected to sex than the harassment men receive. According to the study, the consequence may be that female politicians censor themselves to a greater extent than male politicians.
Annika Strandhäll (S) is president of the Social Democratic Women’s Association and often makes posts that spark debate in social media. She believes that hatred and threats are an attempt to undermine her as a politician.
– You can pretend that you are not affected by it, but the worst thing is when you feel that your children are worried, she says.
According to doctoral student Sandra Håkansson at Uppsala University, female and male politicians are treated differently – hear her tell how in the clip above.