Violence against women in elections (VAWE) is an under-researched topic, partly because of the lack of data and agreed definitions in this field. VAWE is considered as a form of violence that hinders the realization of women’s political rights in electoral contexts. It comprises several types of violence, including harassment, intimidation, psychological abuse, sexual violence and physical attacks, directed to women with different roles in the electoral process, such as voters, candidates, party supporters, observers, electoral administrators or public officials, among others. Electoral stakeholders can use a wide range of strategies to prevent and mitigate VAWE throughout the electoral cycle, including mapping and measuring VAWE, integrating this component into election observation and violence monitoring, fostering legal and policy reform, making electoral arrangements, engaging political parties and raising awareness on this issue.[1] For data gathering, prevention, monitoring and policy-making purposes, working in close partnership with the health sector can contribute to the success of violence prevention and mitigation strategies. Other specific forms of gender-based electoral violence, such as homophobic and transphobic harassment and attacks, have a negative impact on the participation LGBTI persons, undermining their human rights.

One of the key publications on this topic is the UNDP and UN Women’s 2017 “Preventing Violence Against Women in Elections: A Programming Guide”, which offers an overview about prevention and mitigation strategies against VAWE. With the purpose of illustrating strategies to fight and prevent VAWE, examples of good practice from different countries can be found in this section, mostly selected from the UNDP and UN Women’s 2017 guide. [2]

For more information on this topic, please see related content of the ACE Project, including:

• The consolidated reply “Safeguards Against Violence and Intimidation Against Women Candidates During the Campaign Period.”
• The consolidated reply “Practices Associated with Combatting Political Violence Against Women