Unfortunately, the response to advances in equality between women and men has not always been supportive or encouraging.
Many women in high profile public roles, such as women politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, are the targets of disproportionate threats, harassment, assaults, and violence that have significant gender dimensions.
Today, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the profile of some women while, at the same time increasing sexist attacks, particularly on a personal level.
What effects does gender-based harassment have on women leaders? What are the specific challenges to women that confront rejection of their leadership?
Lucina Di Meco shares some of the main findings from her research #ShePersisted, for which she interviewed 88 women leaders in politics, civil society, journalism, television, and technology across 30 countries. She also brings this analytical perspective to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and women´s leadership in the response, as well the challenges and harassment that many of them face in the rejection of that leadership and the threat this represents to social cohesion.
Di Meco, Lucina (2019). Women, Politics & Power in the New Media World. #ShePersisted. At https://www.she-persisted.org/
*Background music: Inspirational piano. Memory Music