"Women's safety in politics has come under heightened scrutiny in the Scandinavian country since October, when Anna-Karin Hatt resigned as leader of the Centre party after only five months in office, citing hate and threats. To constantly feel like you need to look over your shoulder and [to] not feel completely safe, not even at home I am affected by it much more deeply than I thought I would [be], she said at the time."
"Hatt's departure came three years after a man was found guilty of murdering Ing-Marie Wieselgren, the psychiatry coordinator for Sweden's municipalities and regions, and of plotting to kill the then Centre party leader, Annie Loof, at a democracy festival on the island of Gotland. Loof said she respected Hatt's decision to resign, adding: I also understand the reality she describes I know how it feels."
"Line Sall, head of unit at the department for analysis and follow-up at government body the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, said the climate was scaring away a lot of groups and prompting many women to think twice about political engagement. She added: For us who work with gender equality politics, it is also going in the wrong direction when it comes to the government and parliament's goals for gender equality that women should have the same power and influence as men over society and their own lives."
Increasing hate, threats and harassment are driving women away from political life and prompting self-censorship, undermining democratic participation. High-profile incidents include Anna-Karin Hatt's resignation after sustained threats and the murder of Ing-Marie Wieselgren, alongside a plot against then Centre leader Annie Loof. The political atmosphere has become more hostile and polarised, producing censorship in public debate and influencing legislation. Government equality officials report that the climate deters many groups and leads women to reconsider political engagement. The trend hampers goals for gender equality by reducing women's power and influence over society and their own lives.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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