Sexist and misogynistic online comments constant, says candidate

Ms Maher said social media apps Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) are the platforms where she believes the abuse is worst.

“I try not to take it on because you have to be very strong, you have to let it wash away and not take it seriously. But when you’re being bombarded by that you do take it seriously and it can get to you.

“I’m a strong person and I’ve a strong mind so I keep going.”

Ms Maher added female politicians have reached out to support her.

“It doesn’t matter what party you’re a part of we’re still women and we’ve to stand together. It doesn’t matter,” she explained.

Ms Maher said men also get abused online, but she believes men are taken more seriously than women in politics.

“They (men) don’t get sexual harassment online,” she said.

“As a young woman I am not taken seriously.”

Aoife Clements, founder of 50:50 NI said misogyny directed at female candidates is a “huge issue”.

“It seems to be directed at women from all parties and it’s very sinister in that a lot of this abuse has very sexual undertones,” she said.

“There needs to be zero tolerance approach to this kind of online violence and abuse. Women need to make sure that they are reporting everything that happens no matter how small it seems.”