Why does violence disproportionately push women out of the political arena? The European Parliamentary Research Service (2025) examines how intersecting political and gender-based violence creates a severe barrier to women’s political representation in the EU.
Women continue to be underrepresented across EU member states at every level of decision-making and within political parties. While this underrepresentation stems from multifaceted causes, violence against women active in politics stands out as a decisive factor that discourages women from entering public service. Female political figures navigate two overlapping forms of aggression: political violence, which undermines fundamental political rights amid rising polarization in liberal societies, and gender-based violence. The briefing stresses that violence against women in politics is far more than an incidental consequence of polarization; it targets women specifically because of their gender, manifests in sexualized and sexist abuse, and systematically functions to deter women from taking part in public life.
The impact of this hostility has tangible consequences on political diversity and governance. Surveyed women report substantial repercussions from these experiences, noting a decreased willingness to defend specific policy stances and a reluctance to sustain their political careers. In response, ensuring the safe participation of women in political life has become a priority within EU gender equality policy frameworks. The European Parliament has formally addressed the issue across multiple resolutions, amended its internal rules of procedure to prohibit sexist rhetoric and hate speech during parliamentary debates, and put dedicated reporting and support mechanisms in place to tackle harassment.
Learn more about this policy brief here:
European Parliamentary Research Service. (2025). Violence against women active in politics in the EU: A serious obstacle to political participation (PE 759.600). European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2024/759600/EPRS_BRI(2024)759600_EN.pdf