PROJECT
Making Politics Safer – Gendered Violence and Electoral Temporalities in Africa
Violence against women is increasingly coming into focus in the global gender debate. This follows in-depth studies on women’s representation in political institutions.. This study will investigate gendered violence and electoral temporalities in Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
By adopting a participatory and qualitative approach in engaging key stakeholders in sub-national politics, the study explores forms of gendered electoral violence that women in politics are exposed to, and investigates how intersectional categories such as age, class, ethnicity, and party affiliation shape women’s exposure to gendered electoral violence.
Further, the research aims to highlight coping strategies that women in politics use to prevent cases of violence, and the networks and institutions in place to help prevent and deal with instances of gendered electoral violence. Quantitative methods will also be adopted in analyzing results and expanding perspectives, with the goal of contributing to a deeper understanding of gendered electoral violence across Africa, and influencing empowerment policies
Funding:
Swedish Research Council
Co-researchers:
- Prof Amanda Gouws
External link, opens in new window., Professor, Political Science, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa - PhD Mandiedza Parichi External link, opens in new window., Lecturer, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe
Events in the project:
- Violence Against Women in Politics - Global Phenomena and Local Manifestations
- Gender and Violence against Political Actors – the situation in DRC and Uganda
- Escalating online violence - A post-election analysis on the situation for Zimbabwean women in politics
Publications in the project:
- Women's day special - podcast
- Gender gains overshadowed by constitutional violation
- Patriarchal politics, online violence and silenced voices - The decline of women in politics in Zimbabwe
- Linda Masarira – Zimbabwean gender activist and politician who refuses to be silenced
PDF:s in the project:
In the press:
Recorded webinars
Violence Against Women in Politics - Global Phenomena and Local Manifestations
Keynote Speaker
- Mona Lena Krook, Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University, USA.
Discussants
- Amanda Gouws, Professor, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
- Mandiedza Parichi, Lecturer, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe.
Moderator
- Diana Højlund Madsen
External link., Project Leader and Senior Researcher, the Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden
Gender and Violence against Political Actors – the situation in DRC and Uganda
Speakers
- Elin Bjarnegård, Associate Professor, Uppsala University
- Paige Schneider, Assistant Professor, Sewaness: University of the South
- Maria Eriksson Baaz, Associate Professor, Uppsala University
- Maureen Shonge, Regional Policy Specialist on Women’s Political Participation, Eastern and Southern Africa, UN Women
Discussants
- Anna Ninsiima (PhD), Post-doc fellow at Makerere University / Agdar University
- Amanda Gouws, professor, University of Stellenbosch and research partner in the project ‘Making politics safer’
Moderator
- Diana Højlund Madsen External link., Project Leader and Senior Researcher, the Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden
Escalating online violence - A post-election analysis on the situation for Zimbabwean women in politics
Opening remarks:
- Therése Sjömander Magnusson, External link. Director of The Nordic Africa Institute
Speakers:
- Shingirai Mtero, Postdoctoral Researcher, Nordic Africa Institute, External link. co-author of the policy note
- Mandiedza Parichi, Lecturer, Great Zimbabwe University, co-author of the policy note
Discussants:
- Linda Sibanyoni, Independent Canidate, Harare East Constituency
- Sakhile Sifelani, Women in Politics Support Unit (WIPSU)
- Peeter Kaaman, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe
Moderator:
- Diana Højlund Madsen, Senior Researcher, Nordic Africa Institute, External link. co-author of the policy note