Over the course of my time writing columns for the Gazette, I have written about misogyny in politics several times. I wrote of the increased hate Sandra Jansen was met with when she crossed the floor and the violent threats Rachel Notley has received.
Unsurprisingly, these pieces were answered with such comments as, “I have to laugh at the notion that women get any more nasty comments thrown at them then men do.”
Not that there was a lack of evidence before, but this week, there is new data to further support that misogyny in politics is real, alive and well. The report shows Premier Notley is the most threatened Alberta premier. Requests to access this data took PostMedia investigative journalists two-and-a-half years to resolve.
According to the report by Keith Gerein, “The statistics show that from 2003 to 2015, Alberta sheriffs recorded 55 security incidents involving six premiers. Nineteen of those came in the last half of 2015, which happened to be current Premier Rachel Notley’s first months in office. At least three of those incidents required police intervention.”
The report went on to detail incidents involving premiers Klein and Stelmach.
It would be foolish to claim male politicians and public figures are not victim to disgusting threats and hate. Why, however, is it so hard to believe women are more likely and more often victim to such hate? Politicians and public figures are more likely to receive hateful comments, as their potentially controversial and polarizing opinions are made public. This data proves, however, that gender plays a factor in the volume and severity of hate and abuse received by politicians.
As misogynistic comments – hypersexual and violent in their nature – become normalized, we are teaching a new generation of boys and girls that such behaviour is acceptable. When we refuse to believe such data, we invalidate the experience of women everywhere, as misogyny is not solely an issue faced by politicians. It is experienced in the workplace, in schools and on the streets.
It is one thing to be against misogyny. It is another thing to actively call it out, to hold hateful individuals accountable, and to condemn such behaviour. It is vitally important to be aware of the biases we have against women, especially in regards to women in positions of power. It is important to support and encourage women in power. This does not mean you have to agree with their every decision, or align yourself with their point of view. It simply means we must treat women with respect. A respect, the data shows, they are not receiving.
The bottom line is, hate is never acceptable. Hiding behind social media to spew hate, no matter where you lie on the political spectrum, is cowardly and disgusting. We must, however, recognize gender is a factor. We must work to address misogyny as an issue for women in politics, and therefore, for women everywhere.
Jennifer Hamilton is a local student and writer.
