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Gendered Disinformation
Gendered Disinformation: FNF Research series on International Women's Day

3.6 Minutes
Charlotte Zeller
  Charlotte Zeller
Symbolbild: Eine Frau in der Bildmitte, umgeben von einem Wirbel aus Chat-/Sprechblasen, Emoji-Symbolen und Störbild-Fragmenten.
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On International Women's Day 2026, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is publishing a series of studies on gendered disinformation in Mexico, Lebanon, and the Philippines. The series follows earlier policy papers on Czechia and Slovakia.

Gendered disinformation is used worldwide to attack women who are involved in politics and public life. It takes many forms, from sexualized defamation and targeted reputation damage to threats and harassment. The aim is to push these women out of the public debate and to intimidate and deter others.

Country studies

The studies are based on data, expert assessments, and the experiences of those affected. They reveal both recurring patterns and country-specific approaches.

At the same time, they are more than just an inventory of damage and risks: they show the resilience of those affected and develop concrete approaches to counteract it – from political measures and platform responsibility to journalistic diligence and civil society engagement.

  • Mexico: EON Institute builds on findings from an FNF collaboration that examined the use of generative AI in Mexico's 2024 elections and elaborates on the Mexican perspective in expert panels and dialogues with young women.
  • Lebanon: Samir Kassir Eyes Center and InflueAnswers analyze gender-related disinformation in Lebanon based on in-depth interviews with women in politics and journalism, comprehensive literature research, and international comparisons.
  • Philippines: The Center for Liberalism and Democracy analyzes gendered disinformation using prominent case studies in the Philippines and classifies it using different theoretical approaches

Relevant for those affected and for democracy

The findings show that gendered disinformation is neither solely a women's issue nor solely a question of digital rights, but rather a challenge for liberal democracy as a whole. Because those who want to silence women want to weaken democracy.

Our focus page on the topic

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