In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that women in politics are disproportionately affected by hate, aggression and violence in online media. Many of these are online misogyny: deep-seated hatred specifically directed at women.
In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that women in politics are disproportionately affected by hate, aggression and violence in online media. Many of these are online misogyny: deep-seated hatred specifically directed at women.
(Online) aggression and violence restricts women politicians in their functioning and their freedom to express themselves in public debate. Online hatred thus constitutes a barrier to equal representation of people in local and national politics. This is detrimental to democracy.
What does the research involve?
In the run-up to the March 2022 municipal elections, eight women who were currently on the municipal council or running for a seat were interviewed. The Collection & Research Department, together with an intern, conducted the qualitative research.
In addition to this qualitative research, large-scale representative research was conducted into how the nature, extent and consequences of online aggression and violence differ between female and male Dutch politicians. For the large-scale research, researchers from the Collection & Research Department conducted a literature review of existing Dutch and international studies and conducted interviews with experts. And, together with pollster Ipsos I&O, conducted a quantitative analysis of data from over 3,000 local Dutch politicians from the Integrity and Safety Monitor 2022.
What is the purpose of this research?
The publication Het online plafond answers the following questions:
How do female (candidate) politicians in local politics experience direct - aimed at them - misogyny in the (social) media?
How do female (candidate) politicians in local politics experience indirect - aimed at other (national) female politicians - misogyny in the media?
How does misogyny in the (online) media affect the self-confidence, modesty and political ambitions of female (candidate) politicians?
In addition, in collaboration with Stem op een vrouw (Vote for a woman) a number of tips to help shape an inclusive municipal council and create a safe working culture for women have been compiled.
The study "Ga aardappelen schillen of zoiets" ("Go peel potatoes or something") aims to understand:
The nature and extent of online aggression and violence against women in politics in the Netherlands, compared to men. And what factors play a role in this.
How it affects their social media behaviour and political ambitions.
How they deal with their experiences of online aggression and violence. For example, whether they discuss it with others or report it. And what support they need.
The research report mapped this on a large scale for the first time.
The results and recommendations from the study were used by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations to improve the Monitor Integriteit en Veiligheid (Integrity and Safety Monitor). And to make the approach to online aggression and violence more gender-sensitive.
Team
Paula Thijs (researcher)
Mickey Steijaert (researcher until September 2024)
Meike Wijnhoven (Research trainee)
Partners
Ipsos R&D
