A recent study has highlighted the widespread misogynistic content targeting women involved in politics in Nepal. Conducted by Panos South Asia, the research examined various media, including social media platforms, print media, and TV talk shows, from November 15, 2021, to January 31, 2022. The report documented 243 instances of abuse directed at politically active women.
Of these, the majority—235 cases—were found on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, while two cases appeared in online news articles, and six instances were identified in print media, including daily and weekly newspapers.
The study points to the prevalence of verbal abuse, hate speech, trolling, and other forms of derogatory comments targeted at women in politics, particularly on social media. It also notes that much of this content comes from users with little or no social media following, often operating anonymously.
Additionally, the report observed that users affiliated with various political parties frequently engage in online attacks against their political opponents, irrespective of gender.
This underscores the need for greater attention to the safety and fair treatment of women in the public and political arena, especially in online spaces.
