Women ‘leaving political life’ over rise in online abuse

Valesca Lima and Claire McGing, developed a social media toolkit for parties to tackle violence against women in politics (Cate McCurry/PA)

Women are leaving politics or refusing to enter political life over the rise in online abuse targeted at women, it has been claimed.

Claire McGing, from the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWC), said women are making the decision to drop out of politics while others are being put off running in elections because of the gendered social media abuse.