Czech Politicians Face Online Abuse Surge

Female politicians in the Czech Republic are battling a growing wave of sexist and hateful online commentary. A recent analysis reveals the disturbing trend of online abuse, with women in politics facing disproportionate levels of vulgar and threatening messages.

Toxic Comments Target Women

While male politicians often face criticism regarding their policy positions, women are more frequently targeted with insults relating to their physical appearance and even threats of sexual violence. According to experts, this makes “women in politics the ideal target,” says Roman Číhalík, manager of the AI startup Troll Wall.

The analysis categorizes the abusive comments as vulgar, hateful, or spam, including unsolicited links to erotic websites or bookmakers.

Study Highlights Impact

A June study focusing on Facebook comments found that Markéta Pekarová Adamová, leader of TOP 09, received the highest percentage of toxic comments, with nearly one in four falling into this category. Alena Schillerová, despite having a substantial reach on Facebook, also showed a similar share of toxic comments.

“I am not surprised at all, it is a long-term matter,” states Pekarová, noting that much of the abuse is deliberately created against those supporting Ukraine instead of Russia. She describes it as a coordinated campaign from a relatively small number of accounts attempting to provoke others.

Echoes of Earlier Research

These findings align with an April study by Forums 50 % in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, which surveyed 36 Czech Members. The study revealed that 81% of respondents experienced psychological violence, including threats, insults, or intimidation. Furthermore, almost 60% of respondents who encountered threats of violence did not report these incidents to the police.

Research indicates that aggression towards female politicians is often more personal and sexual in nature compared to attacks on their male counterparts.

Impact on Political Participation

Approximately 42% of politicians surveyed experienced sexualized violence, ranging from unwanted touching to sexual propositions, with one even reporting sexual assault. A significant 28% reported limiting their political activities due to fears of online abuse or violence. A recent UN report indicates that online violence against women in politics is a global problem, with consequences ranging from psychological distress to reduced political participation (UN Women, 2024).

Reactions from Politicians

Alena Schillerová has stated that she generally avoids addressing comments on social media, but has referred severe cases to protective services in the past when she served as Minister of Finance. Pekar Adam describes reporting threats to the police as a routine task.

Olga Richter of the Pirate Party also pursues legal action against aggressors, citing cases where individuals were convicted for inciting violence or spreading misinformation.

Despite women achieving record representation in Czech parliament after the 2021 elections, the prevalence of online abuse raises concerns about its potential to deter future female participation in politics.