In the 2010s, as politics moved increasingly online, so did the abuse. Online violence against women in politics (VAWP) emerged as a global issue, weaponised to silence, intimidate, and push women out of political life. It is a gendered form of political violence, driven by misogyny and designed to remove women from power.
Online VAWP takes many forms, from cyberstalking and sexual harassment to deepfake pornography and coordinated trolling. While it falls under the broader umbrella of political violence, it is distinct in both motive and impact. Unlike general political abuse, online VAWP is rooted in gendered hostility, an attempt to discipline women for their presence in spaces of authority.
This violence has real consequences. Around the world, it has created barriers for women entering public life and driven elected representatives to resign or withdraw. In the UK alone, 75 per cent of young women interested in politics say that online abuse is a deterrent. When women are pushed out, everyone loses. Research shows that women politicians are more likely to prioritise policies that benefit society as a whole, such as health care, education and social welfare. They are also more likely to support climate action and are often better at building consensus across party lines. These are qualities that democratic societies, especially post-conflict ones, urgently need.
Northern Ireland's unique and urgent challenge
Northern Ireland is no exception to this global trend, but the local context makes online violence here particularly insidious. The region’s political culture is shaped by decades of conflict, sectarian division and the lingering influence of paramilitary groups. As a result, women in Northern Irish politics face a double burden: abuse that is both gendered and sectarian.
This intersection of misogyny and sectarianism intensifies the harm. Female candidates have been targeted with deepfake pornography, hate speech and coordinated harassment, much of it amplified by online anonymity and platform inaction. During the 2022 Assembly election, two women were attacked with AI-generated nonconsensual images. As of early 2025, there have been no convictions, no justice, only silence.
The result is that women are choosing not to run, stepping back from public roles or enduring ongoing psychological harm. This is more than a personal cost. In Northern Ireland, where peace remains fragile and power sharing is often gridlocked, women’s presence in politics has proven to be a stabilising and progressive force. Their role in peacebuilding is recognised globally and enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Women were instrumental in the Good Friday Agreement and continue to lead in community reconciliation. Reducing their participation through online violence is not just a gender issue; it is a threat to peace and democracy.
A legal framework failing women
While there are laws in place, including the Justice Act (NI) 2016 and the UK’s Online Safety Act (2023), critical gaps remain. Chief among them is the fact that deepfake pornography is not currently illegal in Northern Ireland. Without legislation that reflects emerging digital threats, perpetrators exploit loopholes with impunity.
There are other systemic problems, too. Conviction rates for online abuse remain low. Victims face unclear reporting mechanisms. And although the Online Safety Act now holds large platforms accountable, it often fails to address the smaller, more toxic corners of the internet where abuse flourishes.
Women who experience abuse often feel isolated or unsupported by current systems. Reports are dismissed. Cases stall. Abusers are rarely held to account. Without reforms, these failures will continue to silence women.
Where we go from here
Addressing online violence against women in politics will require more than just a change in the law. It demands a comprehensive shift in how institutions, political parties and society at large understand and respond to digital harm.
First, Northern Ireland urgently needs to modernise its laws to reflect the reality women face. While revenge porn is illegal, AI generated deepfake images currently fall through the cracks. Women have already been targeted during elections with this technology. Updating legislation to criminalise deepfake abuse and ensuring platforms are legally obligated to remove such content would be a powerful first step in signalling that this violence will not be tolerated.
But the law alone is not enough. We must make it easier for women in politics to navigate the systems that are meant to protect them. A clear, accessible guide is needed that explains what legal protections exist, how to report abuse both to the police and online platforms and what mental health or legal support services are available. Many women are unaware of what help exists or how to access it. A simple, well-maintained toolkit could offer real, immediate support.
There is also a pressing need to equip women with the tools to protect themselves. Digital self-defence training should be offered to all women in politics, covering everything from how to secure their social media accounts to recognising abuse patterns and managing the emotional toll. This kind of training, already in use in Nordic countries, can give women the confidence to participate fully and safely in political life.
Equally important is building solidarity. A cross-party peer support network would allow women to share experiences, access expert advice, and develop collective strategies to respond to abuse. Right now, no such structure exists in Northern Ireland, leaving women to navigate these challenges alone. Creating that space could offer not just support but strength in numbers.
Finally, political parties and institutions themselves must take greater responsibility. The Northern Ireland Assembly should update its Code of Conduct to explicitly cover online behaviour. Parties must establish internal standards that prohibit online harassment and disinformation targeting women. And they must act decisively when violations occur. Cultural change starts from within.
Online violence against women in politics is a democratic crisis, a peacebuilding obstacle and a human rights violation. In Northern Ireland, a society still healing from conflict, the stakes are particularly high. Women in politics are not just representatives. They are consensus builders, community leaders and peacekeepers. Silencing women online means putting at risk the peaceful future we are trying to build.
Aoife Clements is the founder of 50:50 NI, where she works on getting more women into politics to ensure women are central to our legislative procedure, policy making and peace building.