DECLARATION OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN POLITICIANS

Join the “Freedom of Choice” initiative and sign the public pledge for politics free of violence. Democracy belongs to all of us!

This declaration is not an expression of support for any political party. It is a shared commitment to protect democratic principles, the dignity of public service, and the right of every person to hold public office free from any violence and intimidation.

A democratic society can function only if all people are free to run for public office, hold public office, and express their views without fear of violence, intimidation, or humiliation

Nevertheless, women who enter politics and hold public office face specific forms of gender-based violence. They become targets of threats, sexual harassment, sexist attacks, online hate, belittlement of their expertise, and attacks on their families. These acts are not random. Their aim is to silence women politicians, cast doubt on their competence, weaken their position in public life, and discourage other women from entering politics.

Gender-based violence against women in politics represents one of the most serious obstacles to women’s equal participation in political decision-making. However, this violence is neither an inevitable part of political life nor a “price to pay for public office.” It is a violation of human rights and an attack on the principles of democracy.

Research carried out by Freedom of Choice as part of the international project Recognize, Resist, Rise Up (2026) systematically documented the extent of gender-based violence against women in politics in Slovakia for the first time. It showed that

• violence against female members of parliament is not an isolated phenomenon, but a widespread reality.
• every female lawmaker involved in the study experienced online violence;
• nearly all have experienced psychological violence;
• one in two had experienced sexual harassment;
• 6 out of 10 faced gender-based discrimination;
• most cases of violence went unreported.

These figures do not merely reflect the experiences of women politicians, they reveal something about the quality of our democracy.

If women leave politics out of fear, remain silent to avoid becoming targets of attacks, or decide not to enter politics in the first place, we lose the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and solutions that are essential for high-quality democratic decision-making.

Violence against women politicians therefore threatens more than just individual women. It threatens free political competition, trust in democratic institutions, the quality of public decision-making, and equality. That is why we declare that the time has come to break the silence and tolerance of violence against women in public life.

We believe in a political system

• in which no one has to choose between public service and their own safety;
• in which women and men participate jointly and equally in the governance of our country;
• in which respect, not hatred, prevails;
• in which power is not abused or used to intimidate others;
• in which gender-based violence has no place.

Therefore, we jointly declare:

Violence against women in politics must end. It must not be part of political work or engagement. It must not be the price of public service.

We share a collective responsibility to create a political environment based on respect, equality, dignity, and safety. With this declaration, we express our commitment to actively contribute to making politics in Slovakia a place where every person can freely hold public office without fear of violence, including gender-based violence directed against women.

COMMITMENTS OF SIGNATORIES

By signing this declaration, we publicly commit to:
1. Advocate for zero tolerance for all forms of gender-based violence against women in politics.
We reject all forms of physical, psychological, sexualized, economic, and online violence, sexism, hate speech, intimidation, cyberbullying, harassment, and any other conduct intended to or resulting in the silencing of women in public life.

2. To publicly condemn all manifestations of violence, regardless of political affiliation.
We will not remain silent. We will not relativize, trivialize, or justify violence as part of politics. We commit to responding to it consistently and decisively.

3. To promote a safe and respectful political environment.
We will create a work environment based on safety, dignity, respect, and equality for all. Safety must be a fundamental prerequisite for holding any public office.

4. Protect women who decide to report violence.
We commit to supporting safe, confidential, and independent mechanisms for reporting, protection, and assistance without the risk of retaliation or career harm.

5. Hold perpetrators of violence accountable.
Every case of violence must be properly investigated. We will support effective investigations into all cases and appropriate and proportionate consequences and sanctions for perpetrators of violence, regardless of their status, position, or political influence.

6. Take preventive measures.
We commit to changing rules and processes, not just responding to individual cases. We will advocate for legislative and organizational measures, including adoption codes of ethics, educational and awareness raising activities, and other preventive policies. Prevention must be just as strong as sanctions.

7. Remove barriers that prevent women from entering politics.
We will advocate for measures that support equal representation of women at all levels of political decision-making.

8. Transform the norms, attitudes, and informal rules that govern political culture and public discourse.
We commit to actively speaking out against sexism, gender stereotypes, hate speech, and disinformation campaigns undermining equality and women’s participation in public life.

9. We will work together.
Gender-based violence is not a partisan issue. It cannot be eliminated without the joint efforts of parliament, political parties, local governments, state institutions, law enforcement agencies, the media, academic community, civil society, and the public. Each of us bears a share of the responsibility.

10. We will develop an evidence-based system for preventing and addressing gender-based violence.
We commit to supporting research, regular data collection, monitoring of adopted measures, and evaluation of their effectiveness. What is not measured cannot be effectively changed.

JOINT CALL

We declare that the safety of women in public life is a fundamental prerequisite for a functioning democracy. Therefore, we call on all elected officials, political parties, local governments, state institutions, law enforcement agencies, the media, academic institutions, civil society, and the general public to join this initiative and take active steps to eliminate gender-based violence against women in politics.

The safety of women in public life is not a matter of concern for just one group. It is a prerequisite for a free democracy. Greater safety for women in politics means a stronger democracy for everyone.

With this declaration, we express our shared commitment to building Slovakia in which no woman will have to pay for her courage to enter politics with her own safety, health, or dignity.

We believe that gender-based violence against female politicians is not an inevitable part of political life.

It is a phenomenon that can be prevented.

It is a phenomenon that can be named.

And it is a phenomenon that we can eliminate together.

Join the initiative of Freedom of Choice. Sign the Declaration of Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Politics and help build a political system based on freedom, equality, respect, and safety for all.

This Zero Tolerance Declaration is part of the project “Recognize, Resist, Rise Up: Tackling Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Politics.” This Project is co-financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.