Sexism, harassment and violence against women are widespread in European parliaments, according to a study published on October 16.
The findings in the study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are based on interviews with 123 women — 81 MPs and 42 parliamentary staff members — from 45 European countries.
While the sample size was relatively small, the findings offer a snapshot into a work culture involving threats of violence, psychological harassment and sexual harassment, among other offenses.
Of the women interviewed, 47% said they had received threats of death, rape or beating and 68% said they had been the target of sexist comments relating to their appearance and gender stereotypes, while 25% said they had experienced sexual violence.
Some 85% of female MPs surveyed said they had suffered psychological violence in parliament.
The study found that female MPs under 40 and female parliamentary staff were more vulnerable to abuse.
“The #MeToo movement has not spared the world of politics. As long as inequality between women and men persists, no woman will be safe from violence and harassment,” said Liliane Maury Pasquier, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Source: CNN
