Fianna Fáil investigates claims that young women were ‘compared and classified’ in Zoom calls

FIANNA FÁIL IS investigating a series of complaints related to the party’s youth wing after a local secretary resigned over allegations of misogyny within the group.

Monaghan Ógra Fianna Fáil secretary Niko Kawonczyk publicly announced her resignation last night after claiming the party failed to act on complaints that female members were “compared and ranked” during Zoom calls.

Kawonczyk alleged that party members navigated women’s Instagram accounts “in a way that was, to put it mildly, derogatory and inhumane.”

He also claimed that “organized political harassment” and “vile rumors” had become commonplace within the organization in recent months, directed against himself and others on social media where party leaders could witness it.

Kawonczyk wrote that he was resigning because the issues he raised “had not received immediate attention” despite the party being “well aware” of the allegations.

“I cannot associate with an organization that allows organized harassment from good friends of mine, or vile and disgusting behavior towards female members of the organization,” he wrote.

“As an individual, I have done everything I could have done to get the attention of headquarters, which is well aware of the extent of this behavior within the organization, but has not acted.”

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil said the party was currently investigating a “small number” of allegations related to Ógra Fianna Fáil, and the investigation is expected to conclude shortly.

“Ógra Fianna Fáil is a large and integral part of the Fianna Fáil organization,” the statement said.

The spokesperson added that Fianna Fáil regretted noting Kawonczyk’s resignation as secretary, but welcomed the fact that she remained a member of Ógra Fianna Fáil.

Kawonczyk has since said on Twitter that he is no longer a member of the organization, noting that he left all of his social media and chat groups.