ECR Member and Mayor of Ciampino, Daniela Ballico, highlighted that only by speaking out against the threatening and unfair online abuse women are subject to on a daily basis can "we move forward". For her, it's imperative to fight against the tirade of abuse women get "simply because they are a woman and in politics".

Daniela Ballico's first experience with online abuse was when she entered the mayoral elections in her city of Ciampino. Although she had worked in a trade union and was often the only woman as well as the youngest, nothing could have prepared her for the severe online attacks she was about to be subject to.

Having had her laptop stolen and the content subsequently shared, in addition to threatening phone calls, she was nearly at breaking point and questioned whether she could continue her political campaign for the position of Mayor of Ciampino.

However, she decided to take a stand and formally complained to the electoral committee and the police who then carried out a swift investigation resulting in the perpetrators being caught. Fortunately, she received a lot of support from voters and other candidates.

"It is not easy for women to come into politics" but Mayor Ballico urges women to stand up and speak out against abuse. "We must move forward by supporting each other", she said. She also mentioned that the attacks against conservative female politicians are particularly strong, making a reference to constant media attacks on the female leader of her political party Fratelli d'Italia, Ms Georgia Meloni.

Daniela Ballico's intervention in this online conference entitled "For more women in politics" was organised by the European Committee of the Regions in the framework of International Women's Day on 8 March.