Major report reveals widespread sexism and abuse in politics

The Herald Scotland

13-07-2025

Engender's report titled 'The Road to Success - Women's Candidate Journey and Way to Advance it' laid bare the enduring challenges faced by women pursuing political office in Scotland, warning that without urgent cultural reform within parties, progress toward gender parity could stall—or reverse.
The research was conducted by the feminist policy organisation between July and November 2024 and examined women's experiences of political candidate selection processes.
The survey involved 159 participants and 15 in-depth interviews with women with candidacy experience across Scotland's political parties.
A total of 33% were SNP, 18% were Greens, 17% Labour, 8% from the Liberal Democrats and 5% from the Conservatives.
One of the most prominent findings was the prevalence of abuse.
Over 70% of respondents reported experiencing online harassment, and only 11% felt "very safe" during their campaigns.
Read more:
'Why are women in Scottish politics still facing hurdles?'
Holyrood 2026: Fears over female MSP representation
'We are outnumbered': Female councillor on 'male aggression' in Scotland's councils
One respondent even said they moved house due to threats they faced. Others said they modified their behaviour as a result of the abuse.
Over a third of respondents said they didn't receive any support around safety from their party.
One comment even alluded to the existence of a culture of silence around raising safety concerns: 'I didn't receive support and I don't think I even reported it - you want to be seen as tough.'
'I have been spat on, shouted at, abused and physically shoved countless times,' wrote one candidate.
Another said they have received "several thousand hateful comments and messages" on social media.
'I have mixed feelings about encouraging other women to stand because of the level of abuse online," one said.
The report also found that candidate selection processes are often biased and rooted in a default model favouring white, male, middle-class, non-disabled candidates.
'We can't win here with someone who looks like her,' recalled one woman, quoting a party member's remark during her candidacy.
One interviewee said: 'The processes are too complex and not easy to understand. This favours established party people 'in the know' who then tend to be the most represented - men, white.'
Another added: 'Unless you're one of the boys, the wife of one of the boys, or in the 'right' political sub-group, it seems there's no interest in your involvement.'
The report also found that many of the crucial structures, cultures and processes surrounding candidate selection still do not work for women.
Everyday sexism, gender stereotypes, sexist bullying, and online abuse are widespread, the report states, and deters women from participating fully — leading to safety concerns, emotional burnout, and a reluctance to stand again.
Talking about the culture in local councils, one respondent said: 'We often persuade great people to join, guide them through the selection process, and they get elected.
"But they may eventually fall away because it can be an unpleasant experience or they experience online harassment or in-person bullying and harassment, council chambers especially can be quite hostile—worse than Holyrood or Westminster, I'd say."
Of those surveyed, 24% of selected candidates said they experienced sexist language or bullying.
The report found evidence of widespread bias at all stages against those with caring responsibilities, and a lack of practical support from parties to help manage these.
One parliamentary candidate said: "I have three children and was a councillor during the election. No thought was given to these responsibilities during the campaign.'
Disabled women also reported a lack of consideration around access and support throughout their journeys.
Women, especially from black, minority ethnic, and disabled groups, encounter multiple systemic barriers across all stages of becoming political candidates, according to the report— including lack of transparency, funding, guidance, sexist attitudes, online harassment, and caring responsibilities.
Only 35% of survey respondents felt their party genuinely prioritised diversity in candidate selection.
Everyday sexism, including inappropriate comments and gendered stereotypes, remains commonplace across parties, with 24% of selected candidates experiencing sexist language or bullying.
While the 2021 Holyrood election secured a 45% representation rate among women MSPs, the report states 'progress has stalled in other electoral spaces'.
Women comprise only 35% of councillors after the 2022 local elections and 35% of Scottish MPs following the 2024 General Election.
The report states that a 'major drive of success' in creating better representation at Holyrood in 2021 was the use of gender quotas by the SNP, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens.
However, the report goes on to state that the use of such quotas relies on parties continuing to 'opt-in".
It adds: 'Without the backing of robust legislation to enforce them, the transformative impact of quotas is diluted.'
The report calls for Scottish political parties to go beyond procedural fixes and embrace deep structural and cultural change.
This includes adopting gender-balanced selection panels, offering practical support for candidates with caring responsibilities, and tackling the culture of abuse with proper training and response mechanisms.
The authors stress that the upcoming 2026 Holyrood and 2027 local elections present a crucial opportunity to demonstrate real commitment to equality.
'Without decisive action to address these systematic barriers, progress on women's representation risks stalling or reversing, undermining the health of Scottish democracy,' the report concludes.
Noomi Anyanwu, development officer for Engender, said: "We have been in conversations with women and female politicians all over Scotland for several years now. They all tell a similar story: The political arena is becoming increasingly hostile, especially for women and marginalised women. With our report, we wanted to dig deep and explore the candidate journey—from preparing to stand as a candidate, including all the interview and vetting processes, to being elected and what happens after.
"There is still an image of the ideal candidate: white, middle-class, able-bodied, and male. For anyone who falls out of these categories, this means being prepared for additional barriers.
"Abuse, lack of support, and biases were reported widely among our survey participants and interviewees. Nearly 30% would not recommend candidacy to underrepresented groups. It's understandable considering what women must endure to make it as politicians, but we don't want to settle for this.
"Change needs to happen, so we urge political parties, governments, councils, and other stakeholders to implement measures and commit to equal and diverse representation. I want to see at least 50% women in our parliaments—for that to happen, we need to see a real culture change first."
Responding to the report, the SNP's Rona Mackay said that there should be "no obstacle or impediment to women's participation in politics", adding that the SNP will continue working to ensure equal representation for women and a safe environment for everyone.
She added: 'Representation is vital for progress - the SNP is proud to be one of the first governments in world with a gender balanced cabinet and we are pleased to have consistently improved the gender balance of our MSPs over the years.
'The SNP will continue to utilise networks and events to support women to stand for elected office - recognising the challenges that exist in political culture, the media and wider society.'
Scottish Labour said the report was a "stark reminder" of the "appalling sexism and online abuse too many women in politics continue to face."
A spokesperson for the party added: 'It's clear more must be done to tackle sexism in politics and across society.
'Scottish Labour will continue to promote gender balance in our selection processes through the use of measures like twinning, and we will continue to work to remove the barriers women face.
'All political parties have a responsibility to support women in politics and show leadership in tackling sexism across society, and Scottish Labour is committed to doing so.'
Scottish Lib Dems deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain told The Herald the report is "distressing" but it is "not entirely unsurprising" that so many women have experienced abuse online.
The Scottish MP added: "Sadly, that has become a reality for many women with careers that are so public-facing."
Ms Chamberlain said her party is committed to "nurturing" an environment where female candidates, parliamentarians and staff are safe and valued, highlighting that her party is "clamping down" on hateful and intimidating behaviour and bringing more women on board as spokespeople as well as campaigning for doubling statutory maternity pay and expanding parental leave.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP said: 'The Scottish Conservatives do not tolerate sexism or sexist bullying of any kind.
'We have robust procedures in place to address any incidents of this nature.
'Under Russell Findlay's leadership, we are committed to supporting even more talented women into our ranks.'
The Scottish Greens say they support candidates and elected representatives with media training which includes how to deal with abuse.
A party spokesperson added: "There are support networks within the party through our welfare and conduct officers, representative groups and a conduct and complaints committee that party members, candidates and elected representatives can contact directly for help when they are subjected to abuse, harassment or threatening behaviour, online or offline.
'We have also reported media posts to the police in the past when candidates have been targeted and have worked with the police on candidate safety in response to threats and media posts. This is something we will do in future if necessary.'