Olivia Field, Chief Executive of The Jo Cox Foundation
Across the political spectrum, women now describe harassment, threats and being followed as “part of the job.” It is not only directed at them – their families are increasingly targeted too.
This normalisation should concern anyone who cares about democracy. This is not only a question of civility. It is about who feels able to stand for office, to speak freely once elected, and to remain in public life. Politicians across the board report self-censoring in debates to avoid triggering abuse. Others decide the toll on their families is too high a price to pay. The result is quieter voices and a smaller, likely less diverse, pool of candidates.
On International Women’s Day, we should be asking: what does this mean for progress towards a truly representative Parliament? A democracy cannot be fully representative if intimidation shapes who is willing to participate.
For years we have worked towards a 50:50 Parliament – not as a symbolic goal, but because more equal representation improves decision-making and ensures women’s lives are properly reflected in policy. But progress risks being slowed down. When girls see women in high-profile roles relentlessly abused online and offline, the message they absorb is not empowerment, but warning. Over a third of young women and girls surveyed by Girlguiding, said they were put off certain careers – including politics – because of the abuse they see those women receive.
At The Jo Cox Foundation, established after the murder of Jo Cox ten years ago, we have seen that change is possible. Dedicated police support for MPs has expanded. Security costs have been removed from candidates’ spending limits. Guidance has improved. Sentencing for harassment is set to be strengthened through the Representation of the People Bill.
These are important steps. But we need to go further.
Tackling political abuse requires action across the entire system. Social media platforms must enforce their own rules to prevent online harms, deepfakes, mis and dis-information. Political parties must set and uphold higher standards for members and candidates. The government must ensure the public are equipped with the tools to be politically literate. Law enforcement must continue to treat threats against elected representatives with seriousness and consistency.
If we fail, the consequence may not simply be fewer women in politics. It will be a narrower, less effective democracy.
Ten years after Jo Cox’s murder, we face a choice. We can accept abuse as inevitable, or we can decide that public service should not require personal sacrifice at this scale.
If we want the next generation to see politics as a place they belong, the answer should be obvious.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain”, so, please give to gain a safer, more representative democracy.