VAWP: A War on Women in Politics
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, considered the most comprehensive roadmap on women’s rights. This year is also the fifth after the adoption of the sustainable development agenda in 2015, which has dedicated a specific goal for gender equality that targets “ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life” as well as “eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres” to reach a broader goal of discrimination free world. Overall change has been too slow worldwide in politics. Progress is now under threat from rampant inequality, violent extremism and the rise of exclusionary politics although women are strongly struggling to confirm their presence and claim their rights.
For long, politics has been considered as “men’s only land” or “no women’s land” due to historic inheritance of power. Historically and traditionally, men hold and give power not women, as such a King’s wife will hold the title of Queen but a Queen’s husband might not hold the title of King.
Consequently, those traditional patriarchal attitudes, structural barriers, unequal relationships between women and men, in addition to gender stereotypes perpetuated the idea that politics is a male sphere where women are not welcome.
Impunity, tolerance or acceptance of some types of violence in private and public life, fear to speak up as victims might be blamed and stigmatized, and having multiple identities (race, age, disability, physical appearance, religion, being from the opposition) are factors that exacerbate VAWP as a weapon to confine women to their traditional “role” and to exclude them from the political arena.
In facts, a 2011 IFES/Bardall study on violence against women in elections found that women and men experience electoral violence differently, with women experiencing more than twice as much psychological abuse/violence than men.Undeniably, when such behaviour is being normalized at the very top of the political system, it becomes acceptable to replicate it in the lower spheres of society. This initiates a vicious cycle.
Lack of awareness on the importance of inclusivity and diversity for democracy, the low representation of women in politics, the shortage of imposing role models in some countries sometimes due to the extended effects of war and prevalent reign of warlords, as well as the rare women political networks to stand, support and advocate for other women in politics might convey a sign of “easy prey” and expose women to higher rates of violence especially with the easy access to social media and the possibility to hide behind parody accounts and escape punishment in the absence of strict legal frameworks.
Governments should impose punishment on perpetrators of all types of VAWP and OVAW while respecting freedom of expression and the prohibition of incitement to violence and hatred. This might be possible through a patchwork of inter-related laws such as penal code, laws penalizing VAW and other laws criminalizing hate speech or through the promulgation of specific law to combat VAWP such as in Bolivia.
Social media, mainly Twitter and Facebook need to invest more resources to enforce adequate and transparent reporting mechanisms that users have confidence in utilizing, to respect human rights, which means ensuring that women using the platform are able to express themselves freely and without fear. Those companies should be pressured by governments and women’s groups to implement a code of conduct to which users have to agree to enforce safety and respect and avoid misogynic speech under terms of sanctions from using the platform. Companies have to respond to complaints and reporting of OVAW and take necessary measures to remove the hideous material and the necessary actions against the abuser. They bare also a responsibility in raising awareness and in protecting all users and should not allow their virtual space to become a threatening place.
Clearly, attacks against women politicians result in the silencing of those targeted. They have the effect of intimidating these women into self-censorship, ultimately blocking their effective communication with their constituencies and the general public.
The absence of women’s voices and perspectives on major issues comes with serious implications for gender equality as well as for free, pluralistic, and overall democracy.
Women in politics should build more resilience through networks to support and empower each other as VAWP is also across parties and intersectional. Democracy is inclusive. Women should not accept to be sidelined. Speak up and convey the message of strong role models.
For long time women fought for political rights, we shouldn't surrender to OVAW or VAWP nor step back. Women in politics, especially legislators and policy makers need to challenge abusive behaviour and tackle the issue at its broader perspective, pass and enforce the implementation of laws for prevention and protection from all types of violence in order to stop impunity. Act now!
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| Photo Credit: iknowpolitics.org |
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