{
  "id": 16397874,
  "title": "WA's young female politicians will not give up despite rise in abuse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/was-young-female-politicians-will-not-give-up-despite-rise-in-abuse",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T00:02:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-25/western-australia-young-women-politics-determined-despite-abuse/107297228"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Young women in politics are showing resilience despite the rising abuse and harassment faced by female MPs, according to a 2024 study. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard urges more action to protect women in politics. WA Youth Parliamentarian Charlotte Rawlinson, a young, queer, and disabled woman, remains determined despite the fear. She acknowledges that the political environment is not safe for her but insists they will continue despite the challenges. Rawlinson notes that some of her fellow youth parliamentarians have experienced racist and sexist abuse online and in person. Busselton Councillor Mikalya Love highlights the need for enhanced safety strategies to manage online threats. The abusive rhetoric surrounding women in politics is described as \"disgusting\" by Love. She has witnessed a rise in \"rage content\" on social media, deterring many women from entering politics. The political divisiveness and increasing attacks on women MPs are causing concern among young women across the political spectrum, including Liberal Party chair Hannah Hutton. A recent Australian National University study confirms that online harassment and misogyny are the second biggest barriers for young women and gender diverse individuals entering politics. Federal MP Tanya Plibersek describes the current level of abuse as industrial scale, while Gillard emphasizes the need for a reflection period to address the driving factors behind the abuse and ensure the safety of all MPs.",
  "summary": "Amid an increase in abuse and harassment of female MPs, young women in Western Australia say they are not intimidated.",
  "key_points": [
    "Young female politicians in WA remain resilient despite rising abuse.",
    "Former PM Julia Gillard calls for more protection for women in politics.",
    "WA Youth Parliamentarian Charlotte Rawlinson determined to continue despite challenges."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The persistence of young women in politics despite industrial-scale harassment signals a growing tension between individual resilience and the systemic need for enhanced safety strategies to prevent future attrition.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}