What's happened
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes criticized the detrimental effects of social media abuse on women in politics during a conference in Edinburgh. She highlighted the misogynistic language used against female politicians, referencing comments made by Rupert Everett about Nicola Sturgeon. Forbes warned that this trend could deter young women from entering politics.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Misogyny in Discourse: Forbes emphasized that criticisms of women in politics are often laced with misogynistic language, which is not only harmful but also exhausting for those targeted.
- Impact on Young Women: The Deputy First Minister warned that the current climate could discourage young women from pursuing political careers, fundamentally altering the political landscape for generations.
- Real-World Consequences: Forbes shared personal experiences of online abuse spilling into real life, highlighting the urgent need for change in how political discourse is conducted.
- Call for Intervention: Both Forbes and Cherie Blair acknowledged the need for a societal shift in addressing online abuse and its repercussions on women's mental health and political participation.
Implications:
- The ongoing trend of misogynistic attacks could lead to a significant decrease in female representation in politics, affecting policy and governance.
- Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a more inclusive political environment that encourages diverse voices.
What the papers say
According to Alistair Grant from The Scotsman, Kate Forbes described the nature of social media as 'exhausting' and 'totally misogynistic,' pointing out that the problem has worsened over the past six years. She criticized Rupert Everett's comments about Nicola Sturgeon, labeling them as 'abhorrent' and indicative of a broader issue in political discourse. Craig Paton from The Independent echoed these sentiments, noting that Forbes believes the current state of social media could transform the type of individuals who enter politics, particularly affecting young women. Meanwhile, Alexander Brown reported on Sturgeon's response to Everett's remarks, calling them 'deeply misogynistic' and 'baseless rubbish,' further illustrating the ongoing challenges women face in the political arena.
How we got here
The discussion arose during a Scotland 2050 conference, where Forbes addressed the increasing misogynistic discourse in politics, particularly on social media. This follows a pattern of public figures facing backlash for their comments about women in leadership roles.
Go deeper
- What specific comments did Rupert Everett make?
- How has social media changed political discourse?
- What steps can be taken to combat online abuse?
Common question
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How is Social Media Affecting Women in Politics?
Social media has become a powerful tool in shaping political discourse, but it also poses significant challenges, especially for women in politics. Recent discussions highlight the detrimental effects of online abuse and misogynistic language that female politicians face. This raises important questions about the future of female representation in political spaces and what can be done to combat these issues.
More on these topics
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Rupert James Hector Everett is an English actor. Everett first came to public attention in 1981 when he was cast in Julian Mitchell's play and subsequent film Another Country as a gay pupil at an English public school in the 1930s; the role earned him his
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Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician serving as the fifth First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party since November 2014. She is the first woman to hold either position.
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Cherie Blair CBE QC also known professionally as Cherie Booth, is an English barrister, lecturer, and writer. She is married to Tony Blair, who was the British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
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Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
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Kate Elizabeth Forbes (born 6 April 1990) is a Scottish politician who has served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic since May 2024. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she previously served as...