Recognize, Resist, Rise Up: Tackling Gender-Based Violence against Women in Politics Comparative Report
We bring you key findings from a comparative report on violence against women in politics (VAWP) in EU countries participating in the 3R project: Recognize, Resist, React.
Key findings: gaps in data in Slovakia
In Slovakia, there is still a lack of systematic data on violence against women in politics. Studies confirm that women are often attacked for their values, especially for democracy, pro-European values, human rights, equality, and inclusion.
Studies on violence and hate speech on social media have confirmed that women are targeted more often than men. Common accusations against female politicians include treason, media manipulation, corruption, and moral failings. The intensity and extent of the violence led, for example, President Zuzana Čaputová to decide not to run for re-election, highlighting the serious consequences of VAWP on women’s representation. In the case of MP Lucia Plaváková, the intersectional nature of VAWP, which combines misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia, was highlighted.
Parliament lacks institutional mechanisms to combat VAWP, report it, and investigate it. Currently, there is no adopted code of conduct for members of parliament. Only one political party has a code of conduct that addresses harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Existing studies lack a gender perspective.
Examples of good practice from individual countries
Good practices in Slovakia are mainly initiated by civil society and one political party:
- Zipper system (quotas): The Progressive Slovakia political party introduced gender quotas and a so-called zipper system (alternating men and women) on its candidate list, thanks to which a high number of female MPs were elected.
- Circle a Woman campaign: A civil society initiative that encouraged voters to give preference to women and drew attention to sexism in politics.
- Artistic interventions: A theatrical reading of real threats received by female politicians with the aim of raising awareness of the problem. An example is Zuzana Čaputová’s video from the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2024 campaign.
The ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Germany (2018) and Ireland (2019) was not just a symbolic gesture. In both countries, it triggered concrete legislative changes and reforms that have a direct impact on women’s safety and lives. The convention commits countries not only to punish violence, but also to prevent it and to fund services related to the care of survivors.
In Ireland in 2023, both houses of parliament established a task force for safe participation in political life. It issued recommendations such as monitoring social media for members of parliament, updating codes of ethics, and introducing a zero-tolerance approach to violence.
In the 2023 report of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in Germany on violence against women, politically motivated crimes against women are included as a subsection under hate crimes – misogyny.
In addition, Germany has developed mechanisms, particularly within political parties and civil society:
- Ombudsman offices in parties: Political parties such as the CDU, FDP, Greens, SPD, and Left Party have established ombudsman offices (at the federal or regional level) to address complaints of discrimination or harassment.
- Code of ethics: The Green Party has a specific “Code of Conduct for Dealing with Violations of Sexual Self-Determination and Sexualized Violence.”
- Fair campaign agreement: The main democratic parties (SPD, Greens, FDP, CDU/CSU, and The Left) have signed an agreement to conduct campaigns without insults, misinformation, or violence.
- Initiative against sexism: The alliance “Together against Sexism,” funded by the ministry, brings together more than 850 organizations and institutions.
The Czech Republic has presented an Action Plan for the Prevention of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for 2023-2026. The plan focuses on violence against women in politics as a separate category of gender-based violence. As there is insufficient relevant data available, the government office (according to the action plan) should conduct a study focusing on women and men in politics, including the issue of online violence.
The organization Forum 50% ran the #StopHate campaign, in which female politicians read hateful comments addressed to them, thereby raising awareness of the problem.
Since January 2025, Hungary has had a law on combating online aggression, which aims to address digital threats, harassment, and hate speech. It is potentially relevant in cases of violence against women, especially those involving cyber violence and psychological abuse, including doxxing, threats, and hate speech directed at women in politics.
International comparison: Dominant forms of violence in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany and Hungary
Although the context is specific to each country, similar forms of violence dominate in the countries studied, especially in the online space.
In the Czech Republic, the dominant form is psychological violence, which has been experienced by up to 81% of respondents. The primary environment for hate speech is online, with the most common forms being threats (61%) and verbal attacks (56%). Younger female politicians (under 40) experience violence to a greater extent.
In Ireland, the dominant form is online violence and degrading comments. Local female MPs receive up to eight times more offensive tweets per follower than their male colleagues. Women are 2.3 times more likely to be exposed to degrading language and lies.
In Germany, the dominant form is psychological violence, both online and offline. Women in politics experience more gender-based discrimination, sexism, misogyny, sexualized comments, and threats (including threats against family members). In 2021, 64% of female MPs surveyed received misogynistic threats.
Hungary also lacks systematic tools for data collection and relevant research. However, media analysis and case studies show that gender-based disinformation and online abuse are systematically used to attack women in politics. Although the Hungarian Parliament has rules of procedure to ensure the dignified functioning of the National Assembly, its mechanisms are not used to address sexist or misogynistic behavior, reflecting a significant institutional failure to protect female MPs. For example, sexist remarks such as “What are you yapping about, little mom?” addressed to MP Tímea Szabó during parliamentary sessions highlight the lack of regulation and accountability for such behavior.
You can read the full report here:
