Sexism, harassment, and violence against women are widespread in parliaments across the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent report. The study, which interviewed 150 female MPs and parliamentary staff from 33 countries, found that 76% of MPs and 63% of staff experienced psychological gender-based violence. Additionally, 60% of MPs reported being targeted online through hate speech, disinformation, and image-based abuse. The report also revealed that one in four women had experienced sexual violence, with most of the harassment occurring on parliamentary premises and committed by male parliamentarians. Such acts aim to undermine women’s presence in politics and force them into silence or invisibility. The report’s author, Brigitte Filion, expressed concern about the risks faced by women in parliament and the potential discouragement of young women from getting involved in politics.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/mar/25/women-politics-violence-sexism-harassment-female-mps-asia-pacific-inter-parliamentary-union-ipu-report