Join The Alliance Of Her for a special event on Thursday 10 June at 17.00-18.30!
Since launching the Alliance Of Her in March 2021, we’ve heard from our alumnae, allies and supporters that a key concern for women in politics across Europe is the rise of online abuse, violence and hate that is misogynistic in nature and designed to prevent them from succeeding in political life. This concern is reflected in the growing evidence, including in our report 'Igniting her ambition: Breaking the barriers to women’s representation' that sexist online harassment is quickly becoming one of the leading barriers for women in seeking, achieving and remaining in political office. This is not an easy issue to confront: recent report by NATO documenting systematic targeting of senior women in the Finnish government also showed the scale of the challenge and the complexity involved in confronting it. Dealing with this problem will require deep, long term social and political solutions.
Register for the event and secure your place here >>
However there are ways we, as a community of and for women in politics, can mitigate and manage its daily impact - while building resilience and increasing wellbeing. The women we’ve spoken to within the Alliance Of Her community told us what they’d like to see is more support and resources on how to deal with this issue practically so that they can continue to pursue their political goals and aspirations as free as possible from inevitable trolling and attempts to undermine them online.
This is why The Alliance Of Her Academy is organising our very first “special event” aimed specifically at sharing and discussing tools and strategies for combatting misogynistic abuse online.
Held on the eve of in the upcoming ALDE Party Congress, this unique virtual workshop will bring together experts in digital and online communications with experienced women in politics who are dealing with this issue on a near daily basis. Together they’ll share what works, and what doesn’t – in order to support women in politics to focus on what they do best: lead and succeed.
Our goal is not only to share best practice and ideas to support women in politics deal with the problem of online sexism and harassment, but to build on our world-class academy program and provide opportunities for more women and their allies to be part of our thriving community.
We are both proud and excited to present two guest speakers for the event, with more to be announced shortly.
Seyi Akiwowo is a multi-award-winning founder and CEO of Glitch – a new organisation dedicated to awakening a generation of digital citizens equipped to create and demand for safe online spaces for all. Akiwowo founded the charity during her time as a local politician in East London after she faced hideous online abuse and violence.Using her lived experience and expertise, Seyi co-designs practical solutions with Governments, NGOs, UN Human Rights Council and tech companies to protect public online public spaces from hate and abuse. Seyi is an expert workshop and training designer and facilitator, delivering training for over 10 years on political leadership, democracy and inclusion in the UK, Kuwait, Uganda, Montenegro and the UAE.
In 2020 George Washington University appointed Seyi a Knight Fellow of the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics and also sits on the Guardian Council of Yoti.
Samira Rafaela has been a member of the European Parliament since 2019 for the Dutch Democrats D66 and coordinator for Renew Europe in the Committee on Women’s rights and Gender Equality. . Samira is also Member of the Committee on International Trade where she is the Vice-Coordinator for Renew Europe and she is a Member in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights. Prior to her election, Samira advised the Dutch police force on inclusion and diversity.
Register for the event and secure your place here >>
If you are interested in partnering with us on this event please contact Laura Owen-Onsea
