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These pages from Chapter 14 of Invisible Women detail the systemic barriers, hostility, and violence female politicians face globally, even as formal legal and political equality has improved. It shows that increased female representation in government often intensifies backlash, leading to a deeply gendered experience of politics.
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📘 Explanation of Chapter 14 (Pages shown)
Theme:
> “Political representation is not just about electing women—it’s about sustaining them in office and dismantling the male-dominated norms that punish them for being there.”
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1. Key Problems Highlighted
🔹 Diminished Legislative Power
Female legislators are less successful in passing legislation and less likely to be appointed to high-status committees, especially when working on women’s rights.
Human rights issues sponsored by women get less support, especially from male politicians, who see them as less legitimate.
🔹 Psychological Warfare & Self-Censorship
Women MPs face psychological constraints: travel restrictions, harassment, need to be accompanied, fear of retaliation.
Many censor themselves, avoid social media, or stay silent to avoid threats and abuse.
🔹 Violence & Threats
Female politicians, especially in Asia and Latin America, are more likely to leave politics early due to threats and aggression.
Sweden: 1 in 3 female local politicians considered quitting due to threatening incidents.
🔹 Sexist Media and Online Abuse
In Australia, 60% of women aged 18–21 and 80% over 30 said media coverage deterred them from entering politics.
In Nigeria, political harassment caused a marked drop in female political participation between 2011–2015.
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2. Institutional Exclusion and Cultural Resistance
🔹 Exclusion from Power Networks
Women are excluded from informal male patronage networks (“backroom deals”), especially in post-conflict or conservative environments.
Only 17% of US female legislators said male leaders consulted them regularly.
🔹 Interruptions & Undermining
A 15-year study of US Supreme Court showed male justices interrupt female colleagues far more.
Trump interrupted Clinton 51 times during a single debate (Clinton interrupted him 17 times).
UK and US political debates routinely show men dominating speaking time and questioning women's credibility.
🔹 Sexual Harassment and Threats
66% of female MPs globally report harassment and misogyny.
1 in 5 have experienced sexual violence in office.
During the 2010 Afghan elections, nearly all female candidates received threats.
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3. Quotes to Remember
> “Politics as it is practised today is not a female-friendly environment.”
— Page 53%
> “Common sense is in fact a product of the gender data gap.”
— Page 51%
> “Almost every day I fear for my life.” — Afghan MP, Fawzia Koofi
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5. Suggestions & Structural Critique
Legal quotas alone aren’t enough; informal exclusion must also be addressed.
Enforce consequences for abuse, harassment, and obstruction (e.g. cutting off mics of bullies).
Reform political cultures so that women can function freely—not just be elected.
Recognise fear as gendered: Male-dominated systems fear losing control, which fuels aggression.
Educate men and restructure power: Systems must be designed with women in mind, not just retrofitted.
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In Short
> As female representation increases, so does hostility—especially from within the system.
Women face not only structural obstacles, but relentless backlash, gatekeeping, and violence. Without overhauling political culture, more women in office won't mean better gender justice.
