6 October 2026

SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid has said abuse directed at women in public life must stop.

It comes after a number of female public representatives have spoken openly about facing abuse and personal attacks both online and in public in recent weeks.

Councillor McDaid said:

“The abuse we have seen directed at politicians in recent weeks has been absolutely disgusting. While nobody should have to face this kind of abuse, there has been a particular focus on female representatives, with women being targeted over everything from their appearance to their personal lives.

“I fundamentally disagree with the politics of some of those who have been targeted, but that does not mean I will stay silent when they are subjected to personal abuse. Political disagreement is healthy and necessary, but when you resort to attacking someone's appearance or personal life, you are not strengthening your argument, you are simply engaging in bullying. We need to call that out regardless of who the person is or what political views they hold.

“Those of us who speak regularly about violence against women and girls also have a responsibility to challenge this kind of behaviour when it happens in front of us. We cannot condemn misogyny when it suits us and ignore it when the person being targeted is someone we disagree with. We regularly talk about the need to encourage more women and young people into politics, but we cannot ignore the reality of what public representatives are subjected to.

“Public service is a privilege, but no one should have to accept a torrent of personal abuse simply for putting themselves forward, expressing their views and representing their constituents. If we want people to come forward and participate in public life, we need to make clear that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.”