Who still wants to enter politics? Intersectional perspectives of young women aspirants on violence against politicians

This article explores the impact of violence on young women’s political aspirations in the Netherlands, highlighting its potential to deter future women politicians. Through seven online focus groups with 37 young women considering a political career, our findings indicate that witnessing violence poses an important obstacle. Intersectional differences emerged: aspirant women with migration backgrounds report greater deterrence due to intersecting forms of discrimination. This article provides crucial insights into how perceived risks influence young women’s political engagement, both now and in the future. The results point to a vicious cycle of representational costs of violence. Addressing violence is key to fostering a diverse political landscape, as the withdrawal of aspiring women risks reinforcing existing gender imbalances, undermining democratic representation and diminishing political legitimacy.