The Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Bärbel Bas, has criticized the increasing number of personal attacks against female politicians and politically active parents. Speaking at an event hosted by the Rheinische Post in Düsseldorf, she emphasized that while factual debate is an essential part of democracy, personal defamation has become a deliberate strategy, particularly within far-right networks, aimed at intimidating confident women and pushing them out of public discourse.
This is precisely where the project “Sicher Engagiert” comes in, providing training for elected representatives and volunteers on how to effectively respond to online hate. “Studies show that online hate has a direct negative impact on political engagement,” explains project manager Michael Bücker. “Through our exchanges with local elected representatives, we see that online hostility is increasing and is directed predominantly at women,” Bücker notes. “This creates intimidation and a democratic vacuum that opponents of democracy intentionally seek to fill. Unfortunately, those spreading hatred often receive the most attention online.”
Information about upcoming democracy workshops on far-right communication strategies, as well as future qualification programs for volunteers and local elected representatives, can be found on the project’s website, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels.
