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Such findings elevate widespread concerns that women, still significantly underrepresented in political and corporate offices, will avoid or give up leadership jobs that leave them vulnerable to online abuse. “It certainly discourages women from getting engaged in politics,” Speier said, given worries about family and personal safety.
For example, some female members of the British Parliament cited online abuse and threats in declining to run for reelection in 2019, prompting advocates there to push for better online safety training.
Nina Jankowicz, who focuses on online threats against female politicians as a fellow at the Wilson Center, is a target of disinformation and harassment too.