Summit for Democracy - “The Status of Women is the Status of Democracy”

State Department Event

“The Status of Women is the Status of Democracy”

Today, women represent only one in four members of parliament.

And if we look at women ministers – or heads of government – the situation is even worse.

Many individual women have overcome barriers and are actively participating in political decision-making.

But equality is still far from being achieved.

Dear participants,

When discussing women’s equal participation in politics, it is difficult to ignore the patterns of misogyny, intimidation and violence that women leaders face today.

Around the world, women politicians are subject to sexist hate speech and misinformation - very often online.

They do not only have a detrimental effects on their human right to political participation, but they also pose a challenge to democracy itself.

By targeting, intimidating, and silencing women, technology-facilitated gender-based violence has a particularly harmful effect on women‘s freedom of expression.

It causes them to self-censor and to withdraw from public spaces - both online and offline.

It is also sending the message that women in general have no place in politics.

Earlier this month, I hosted in Brussels a high level event on this important topic, to identify the sometimes persisting, sometimes new obstacles impeding the political participation of women.

Let us be honest: tackling online violence and intimidation against women and girls is a clear and realistic goal.

But it requires more political will and dedication.

Let us step up our action to achieve this goal and realize women’s equal participation in political decision-making.

Because we can’t take decisions that impact a community, a country or even the whole world without taking onboard half of humanity.

Thank you.