YOUNG women are shunning the world of politics because of misogyny and blatant sexism, a first-time female candidate in the Scottish elections has claimed.

Speaking out after sustained online attacks, Mid-Scotland and Fife hopeful Jeni Gunn said abuse on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook was a hurdle-too-far for females to get involved in frontline politics.

Ms Gunn, who is standing for leftist alliance Rise, said she had been referred to as everything from a "stupid little girl" and "idiot" to a "slut" and comments about her attire.

Despite three of the leaders of Scotland's four main parties being women, Ms Gunn said those starting out in their careers lacked a support network to combat sexism.

One academic specialising in gender and politics described social media as "a new frontier" for female politicians, adding that women in public spaces such as Twitter often acted as mere bystanders rather than become the targets in online conflict.

Ms Gunn's comments sparked a wave of support, including women who stood as candidates in the US during the 1970s, while other females taking part in the Holyrood poll have told The Herald of their experiences.

Ms Gunn, 25, took to Twitter earlier this week following a number social media exchanges, stating: "The abuse I have received for simply daring to stand in an election has made me realise why young women don't stand. This needs to stop."

She said much of the abuse had come from fellow Independence supports but said the nature of the comments went beyond any rivalry for regional list votes with supporters of the SNP or Greens.

Ms Gunn also said she the abuse had sparked some soul-searching over frontline politics but that she remained confident in her abilities.

She said: "I was nervous about becoming a candidate and have thought 'maybe I'm not ready for this'.

"I have the block button but this is constant, on your phone and lap top and a Facebook conversation about policy very quickly becomes what an immature little girl I am and should know my place.

"It can get to me, I'm learning to shrug it off but I think about the 16 and 17-year-olds I know who could be put off politics by this stuff. Will other young women put themselves through this.

"Of course there's always been sexism but social media makes it so much more in-your-face."

Labour's Monica Lennon, who is expected to become an MSP via the Central Scotland list, said: "By its nature politics is a tough battleground for all. Sexism can make it all the harder for women.

"The stuff you get on social media is cowardly but women shouldn't be expected to laugh it off or develop the skin of a rhino. It hasn't put me off being politically active, in fact it makes me more determined but I'm conscious that it does turn others off and that harms our democracy."

Annie Wells, the Conservative candidate for Glasgow North East, said she received more online abuse for being a Tory than female but added:

"I have however witnessed fellow colleagues who have experienced experienced this, and recognise that it does it exist."

Dr Myrel Kenny, a lecturer in gender and politics at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Overall the new media age is gendered in that men are a lot of the shouters and women tend to lurk in the background.

"It does have an impact on political engagement and willingness to run. People can now express themselves more on platforms like Twitter anonymously and not in an inclusive way. It is off-putting as women are most often those subjected to this. They are less likely to tweet but more likely to take more of the abuse.

"Twitter is in some ways a new frontier in politics but it reflects wider issues of female representation and backlash when women enter the public sphere."