Rising levels of hatred and threats 'are forcing women out of Swedish public life'

Increasing hatred, threats and harassment against female politicians are scaring women away from public life and forcing them to censor themselves, the Swedish government's equality agency has said, warning that this poses a big threat to democracy.

- Miranda Bryant

Women’s safety in Swedish politics has come under heightened scrutiny since October, when Anna-Karin Hatt resigned as leader of the Centre party after five months in office, citing hate and threats. She said at the time: “To constantly feel like you need to look over your shoulder and [to] not feel completely safe, not even at home... I am affected by it much more deeply than I thought I would [be].”

Hatt’s departure came three years after a man was found guilty of murdering Ing-Marie Wieselgren, the psychiatry coordinator for Sweden’s municipalities and regions, and of plotting to kill the then Centre party leader, Annie Lööf, at a democracy festival on the island of Gotland.

Lööf said she respected Hatt’s decision to resign, adding: “I also understand the reality she describes ... I know how it feels.”