Canadian First Lady Sophie Trudeau and several female political leaders and activists from across the world joined forces at a conference March 17 to send a message that violence against politically active women strikes a blow against democracy.
“When women feel unsafe to enter politics, democracy is weakened,” Trudeau said in her address to the audience. “Whether it’s physical or psychological violence cannot be and should not be the cost of entering politics for women.”
The conference was held by the National Democratic institute (NDI) of which former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been chairwoman for 20 years.
