The new book by bestselling author Ingrid Brodnig. How misogyny becomes a weapon against democracy: topical, investigative, highly relevant.
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Threats of violence, digital smear campaigns, malicious photo montages – what sounds like the dark underbelly of the internet has become a bitter reality for many female politicians. In her new non-fiction book, Ingrid Brodnig ruthlessly exposes how systematic intimidation is used to push women out of the political arena and what this means for our democracy. She has spoken to members of parliament and high-ranking female politicians from Germany and Austria, documented specific attacks and analysed how digital violence works – often fuelled by right-wing networks, the logic of social media platforms and opportunistic media mechanisms.
But Brodnig goes beyond analysis: she shows ways in which those affected can protect themselves – legally, technically and strategically. And she appeals to all of us to take responsibility as citizens. Because those who remain silent leave the floor to the loudest voices. A courageous, intelligent and highly topical book – for everyone who does not want to leave democracy to the fearmongers.
Ingrid Brodnig is an expert on the social impact of digitalisation and debate culture. The author and journalist gives lectures and workshops and offers advice on how to respond to phenomena such as hate speech and disinformation. Her latest bestsellers are ‘Objection! Countering Fake News and Conspiracy Myths’ and ‘Against Brutality: On the Targeted Destruction of Public Debate’. Ingrid Brodnig has received numerous awards for her work, including the Bruno Kreisky Special Prize for Political Books. .
‘Feindbild Frau’ (Women as Enemies) will be published on 18 February 2026 by Brandstätter Verlag, 208 pages.
(in German)
