Parliamentary Centre and #ShePersisted join forces to prevent online harassment of women in politics
The Parliamentary Centre is honoured to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 with an important new partnership with #ShePersisted. #ShePersisted is the only global initiative dedicated to tackling gendered disinformation against women in politics. The partnership with the Parliamentary Centre builds on our mutual objective of leveling the playing field and eliminating all forms of harassment and discrimination that prevent women around the world from leading in politics.
#ShePersisted’s co-founders Lucina Di Meco and Kristina Wilfore have a three-pronged strategy: to increase understanding of gendered disinformation; to support women leaders who are targeted by online attacks; and to influence transatlantic conversations on social media standards.
In 2022, with the support the Josephine Safka Charitable Fund the Parliamentary Centre will be collaborating with the #ShePersisted team to enhance some of their research documenting the stories of women around the world who have experienced online aggression. Together, we will be sharing stories of the profound impacts of gendered disinformation as well as advocate for urgent solutions and responses.
“From Alberta to Azerbaijan, Shawinigan to Sri Lanka, online vitriol directed at political women builds on patterns of gendered exclusion, discrimination, and violence. We are proud to join force with #ShePersisted to address this critical barrier” said Dr. Gabrielle Bardall, VP-External at the Parliamentary Centre.
“Canada’s leadership, in taking steps toward a world where women can participate equally in public life, at home and abroad, is commendable” said #ShePersisted co-founder Lucina DiMeco. “#ShePersisted is honored to partner with the Parliamentary Centre as we strengthen our collective understanding of how to curtail the harms of gendered disinformation.”
According to #ShePersisted co-founder Kristina Wilfore: “We must go beyond a whole of society approach to combating misinformation and disinformation, and instead gather empirical data on social media platforms’ behavior when putting profit above safety and democracy for women and girls around the globe.”
Learn more about #ShePersisted here
