Political Infantilization and Dismissive Humour
Finally, humour and sarcasm were used to trivialise women's decisions and render their experiences
as entertainment rather than political acts. Comments obscure aggression behind a veneer of
politeness, making harassment harder to identify and easier to justify. (Figure 34).
Examples:
●
— الزم دعم نورس احسن من دعم برهانBetter to support Nawras than Burhan.
●
جزاها هللا الف خب. — موقف يحسب لهاA commendable stance; may God reward her. (used
sarcastically)
Figure 34: Sample of hate speech comments
Public commentary also reflected widespread scepticism about strategic quota repositioning. For
example, remarks such as ““( ”تعرف رؤحة راح تخش نسحبت ببتيبShe knew she would lose and withdrew
strategically”) indicate that many online users view such shifts as backroom deals rather than
legitimate political strategies. This perception deepens existing distrust of the quota system,
portraying women as instruments of party manoeuvring rather than independent political actors.
The overlap between these structural inequalities and the digital harassment women face creates a
dual barrier: women must navigate both an online environment that undermines their credibility and
a political system that limits their autonomy.
To restore the intent of the quota system, there is a need for greater transparency in how parties
select and promote women candidates. Representation should not be treated as a procedural
requirement but as a genuine commitment to inclusion, where women exercise genuine political
agency.
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