Fear of Harassment Silences Women Politicians in Public Debate

Women politicians are significantly more likely than their male counterparts to avoid public statements due to concerns about threats or harassment. This trend is particularly evident on issues related to migration and gender equality. Politicians with an immigrant background also show a higher propensity to refrain from public commentary.

These findings come from a study based on 43,000 responses from Swedish politicians. The data spans a ten-year period and includes politicians from both the national parliament (Riksdag) and local municipalities. Researchers at Uppsala University conducted the study, which was published in the British Journal of Political Science.

The study analyzed data from the Politicians' Safety Survey, a recurring assessment by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention. This survey asks politicians if they have ever avoided making a public statement due to worries about threats or harassment. Those who answered yes specified the topics they chose not to address.

Among Members of Parliament (MPs), 36 percent of women avoided public statements, compared to 20 percent of men. MPs with immigrant backgrounds showed a similar pattern, with 36 percent refraining from speaking out versus 26 percent of those without immigrant backgrounds. At the local level, 18 percent of women politicians avoided public statements, compared to 13 percent of men. Eighteen percent of local politicians with immigrant backgrounds also avoided public statements, versus 14 percent of those without.

Free-text responses revealed that women politicians and those with immigrant backgrounds avoided a broader range of issues. These included local concerns like school closures and broader topics such as migration. Women were disproportionately silenced in debates challenging traditional male dominance, especially on gender equality and migration issues. Migration was the most common topic politicians avoided commenting on publicly.

During the 2022 election campaign, 38 percent of all MPs chose not to make public statements on certain issues. This suggests a narrowing of public debate, potentially leading to distorted political decisions. The study highlights concerns about whose voices are heard, particularly regarding gender equality and diverse perspectives in political discourse.