Why Do Europe’s Women Politicians Get Targeted Online?
It’s Not About Fame—It’s About Politics
Imagine a world where every woman in government instantly faces a storm of insults on social media. That’s the reality in Europe right now—and it’s driven by a cocktail of sexism, political rivalry, and an increasingly toxic digital culture.
Why the Hate Hits the Women First
- Gender Stereotypes – Men and men‑made men in power often see women as “outsiders,” and the internet amplifies any fringe voice that calls them out.
- Political Stakes – Politicians want opponents to lose credibility; attacking a female colleague is a quick win because it triggers a visceral reaction.
- Echo Chambers – Social media algorithms feed us the same negative gossip, creating a feedback loop of misogyny.
- Historical Precedent – Women have faced hate throughout history—media loudspeakers, printed pamphlets, and now a “digital megaphone.”
What Can Be Done?
- Report & Block – Use platform tools to flag toxic comments and block repeat offenders.
- Community Verbs – Campaign groups that hold harassers accountable and spread respectful voices.
- Education & Sensitivity Training – Equip politicians with the skills to respond calmly without escalating.
- Policy Review – Governments should strengthen cyber‑bullying laws specifically to protect public officials.
In short, the hostility isn’t about political success or notoriety. It’s about who’s been socially conditioned to believe that a woman in power is somehow “different” or “less legitimate.” Rolling our eyes and standing up for women politicians isn’t just about kindness—it’s a fight for a less toxic world.
Giulia Fossati Shows the Real Cost of Tweeting
Italian politician Giulia Fossati stepped onto the political stage in 2021 and quickly became a regular voice on social media, talking openly about migration, racism, and feminism. The downside? First‑hand, harsh online backlash.
When the Tweet‑Storm Hits Women
Fossati, a member of the centre‑left Partito Democratico and a representative for women voters in Pavia near Milan, told Euronews Next that the internet can feel like a battlefield:
- “I get a ton of comments, especially when I tackle feminist issues.”
- “They throw barbs like ‘go to the kitchen’ or ‘idiot shut up.’”
She’s not a household name yet, but the harassment is real. The insults often target her gender and age:
- “Calling me a ‘young woman’ feels like they’re saying I’m less credible than an adult.”
Fossati’s experience isn’t a fluke—we’re seeing a pattern.
Study Shows Women Voted Warmer Targets
A peer‑reviewed study in Politics & Gender scanned over 23 million posts on X (the former Twitter) aimed at politicians across Germany, Spain, the UK, and the US. Here’s what they found:
- Male and female politicians alike face roughly the same number of attacks.
- Men’s taunts tend to be general insults.
- Women are more often hounded for appearance, gender, ethnicity, or personal morality.
Uncivil tweets were defined as anything from hate speech and stereotypes to name‑calling, threats, sarcasm, all‑caps shouting, or just plain humiliating content.
The Stakes for Women in Politics
The researchers warned that such online aggression can push women to scale back their digital presence or even abandon running for office entirely. And, surprisingly, fame doesn’t shield them—even the most famous female politicians still attract uncivil tweets.
Bottom Line
In the age of instant commentary, women in politics are battling a unique brand of online harassment that isn’t just about policy—it’s about identity. It’s a sobering reminder that a tweet, while powerful, can also come with a pretty heavy price tag.
The deep-rooted causes of online hate towards women
Hangry Women, Hyper‑Aware AI and the Public Hall Monitor
Last week, a study that tried to iron out the digital ways women get schooled on the internet was rolled back by a gender‑study sleuth who warned that the tools used are like a teacher who can spot the loudest shouting but will miss the subtle shade of a whisper.
Where the AI Gaps Out
Andrea Pető—who sits on the roar‑faced faculty of gender studies at the Central European University in Vienna—had a quick word with Euronews Next. “AI is great at flagging the scream‑like threats that are plainly out there, but it’s clueless about the quieter, more devious forms of verbal aggression,” she said.
And when the algorithm labels a comment as “uncivil,” a lot of the conversation gets lost: “We might be shutting the door on people who are actually championing democratic values under the guise of ‘uncivil’ language,” she added.
Nobody’s Surprised
When the manuscript hit the desk, we were no spoilers. The tell‑tale of online harassment against women has been a current for years, spitting out research, debate, and even a few new legal warnings.
The Legacy of the “Not‑Welcomed” Chair
- Power, politics, and public debate were historically male‑centric.
- Many European nations (Greece, for instance) didn’t grant women a voice in national elections until 1952.
- Today, a woman who steps into the political arena—especially online—still faces hostility because of her gender.
Breaking the Private‑Sphere Mold
Pető illustrates the tension with a vivid metaphor: “People expect dames to stay in the domestic ring. Those daring to step out—witches, Marie Curie, local councilors, even MPs—often get coerced and scrubbed by male‑controlled public spaces.”
Is It Attitude or Algorithm?
The burning question lingers: Are these digital blows rooted in blind societal belief, the tech that magnifies them, or a perfect storm of both?
Related
Nearly half of EU youngsters are already victims of online abuse—according to new reports.
Technological and economic issues
When Tech Mirrors Reality – and Sometimes Magnifies the Bad
Meet Sandra Wachter: a tech regulation professor from Oxford (yes, those fancy British minds) and the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, Germany. She’s been saying, “If we let technology run wild, the folks already facing bias get hit harder.”
Why the Law is the Super‑hero
- Digital Echoes: On social media you can hear the same echo of injustice louder.
- Break the Loop: Regulations act like a sound‑muffling blanket for harmful tech trends.
Profit vs. People: The Real Story Behind Online Harassment
Wachter points out something nobody wants to admit: big tech firms are money‑hungry. Their models keep users glued to screens, making them perfect targets for paid ads. The more you watch, the more the ads sell.
In plain English:
- These companies love a sensational drama that keeps you scrolling.
- That drama is jam-packed with outrageous, shocking content.
- And guess what? The foolish hype travels faster than your everyday news.
People Get the Wrong End of the Stick
Many folks: “It’s just a harmless meme.”
Victims? They’re punished for being in the spotlight instead of the bullying.
Law Enforcement Misses the Digital Rubble
Because everything’s online, the seriousness of the damage gets lost in translation.
Lawyers and cops: “There’s no concrete evidence.”
Reality: The emotional fallout is real and lasting.
Bottom line: Technologists, regulators, and everyone in between need to remember that tech is a mirror. And if you don’t lock it down with a good set of laws, it can reflect back a distortion of society’s biggest problems.
How to fix the problem
AI Moderation: The Good, The Bad, and the Sarcasm Misses
Picture this: TikTok’s algorithm lifts a hand to snip away hate, while Facebook and Instagram have toned down the digital police. Sounds like a balanced strategy, right? Well, not entirely.
Jeremy’s Real‑Life Test
“Sarcasm slides right over the eye of machine learning,” notes Sara de Vuyst, a Professor of Contemporary Visual Culture from the University of Maastricht. In other words, AI is great at flagging obvious offenders, but when someone writes a comment in a double‑sided, “you’re a genius… yet do you know what went wrong?” tone, the robot’s not so sharp.
European Union’s Digital Service Act (DSA): A Thought‑Provoking Pledge
Fueled by fresh vigor in 2024, the DSA is set to safeguard consumers online. It gives users a handy “I think this should be removed” button and forces big platforms to adopt risk‑mitigation procedures.
- Simple Flagging – Users can scare the community with a single button.
- Risk‑Reduction Protocols – Heavy‑handed checks on violent, criminal or extremist content.
Though the law looks promising, Wachter and de Vuyst share a cautionary chuckle that the DSA still doesn’t put the social‑media giants on the witness stand when probing their profit motives. “It’s like making a delicious soup but forgetting to add the seasoning that keeps it from turning bland.”
Italian Gamer Turns Humor into Armor
In Italy, blogger Fossati tried the classic approach: talk it out. She dove into the comment trenches hoping to understand the haters. Only after realizing that half the crowd came with “pointless crusades” did she flip her strategy.
When faced with an insult, she responds with “ironically sharp”. And should the comment push into territory that could require legal action, she reminds the user that the process is costly and bureaucratically why – but she’s yet to actually file a complaint.
“Negative comments are common because we don’t always showcase the everyday wonderfulness. Hatters don’t carve up reality for good reasons,” she says, refusing to let the darkness drown her beach‑side enthusiasm.
So the moral of the story? Even if AI moderation no longer can catch every sly dig, regulations give people a voice. And a bright‑skinned blogger can still keep her head above water, brushing off bitterness with grand irony and resilience.