This question is posted by ACE on behalf of Rebecca Mwontune

Women candidates across the world face violence and intimidation during the campaigning period. 

In countries where  significant numbers of women compete as candidates in elections,  what mechanisms -- policy and legal --  exist to safeguard them from being politically marginalized by acts or threats of violence ?

Practitioners' Network members are encouraged to provide country-specific examples.

Summary of Responses

Practitioners’ Network members responded to the question by sharing resources, giving country specific examples, as well as making comments and recommendations for addressing violence against women candidates. A summary of the responses follows: 

Members had the following comments regarding the topic: 

• Electoral commissions, as national institutions, are obliged to ensure that electoral procedures safeguard women's rights to inclusive electoral processes, and can advise lawmakers to make harassment of women politicians a criminal offense and establish mechanisms to end impunity for such crimes. 
• A lot of the violence against women takes place on social media or through telecommunications. However, incidents over these technologies can be monitored and documented. 
• A lot of countries have ratified CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women), a convention that has specific provisions for women's political participation. 

Members gave the following country specific examples:

• A member mentioned that the constitution in Mozambique guarantees equal rights for both sexes and there are no legal obstacles for women who register as voters or candidates for election. He also stated that the country is ranked in the top 20 countries for the representation of women in parliament, and noted that the law does not contain specific provisions for the safety of women.
• A member mentioned that the Constitution and Code of Democracy in Ecuador, states equal representation of women and men, and that there are established mechanisms to encourage the participation of women.
• Another member quoted IFES’ Maldives Gender Assessment 2014, which indicated that an increase in certain interpretations of Islamic Sharia over the last ten years in the Maldives, has limited women’s role in public life. The report also stressed the importance of family support for women who want to run for public office.

Members also shared recommendations for ensuring the safety of all candidates in general and the safety of women candidates in specific: 

• EMBs should investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of violence in accordance with the law.
• The government must ensure the safety and prioritize security considerations specific to women. This would encourage women to participate effectively in politics without fear.
• All political, social and administrative authorities must work together to promote civic awareness around the elections and in accordance with the law.
• Women should organize their campaign meetings in accordance with the law, and inform the police in advance of any concerns they might have.  
• Train women on how to best respond to violence. 
• Work on creating a safe environment for campaigning for all candidates. Having a general climate of violence will certainly affect women candidate safety. 
• Parties or candidates should adopt a code of conduct that they are morally committed to.
• Work on reducing violence against women in general, a society that does not tolerate violence against women will not tolerate intimidation of women candidates. 

No untoward incidences are tolerated during an election particularly on the eve and the poll day. Election Commission of Bhutan reserves the right to detain and any trouble creators.

Gabrielle Bardall has written a very useful piece on this issue called "Breaking the Mold: Understanding Gender and Electoral Violence" (IFES White Paper Series, December 2011). The paper includes 6 pages of recommendations. 

http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/White%20Papers/2011/

Au Mozambique, La Constitution garantit l'égalité des droits pour les deux sexes et il n’y a pas d'obstacles juridiques pour les femmes qui s'inscrivent comme électeurs ou candidats à l'élection. Le Mozambique est classé dans le top 20 des pays pour la représentation des femmes au Parlement. Durant les élections de 2009, la participation des femmes a été estimée à environ 40% dans les provinces méridionales et centrales, et environ 60% dans la partie nord du pays.

En 2009, la campagne électorale a été plus pacifique que lors des élections précédentes. Les dirigeants des partis ont répondu à des cas isolés de violence par des appels à la modération et le respect mutuel.

La loi électorale au Mozambique établit que la réalisation de la campagne électorale est sous la responsabilité des candidats et des partis politiques sans aucune entrave à la participation active des électeurs en général. Chaque candidat peut librement accomplir la campagne électorale dans n'importe quel endroit de la République. La présence de la police durant la campagne peut être sollicitée par des autorités compétentes qui représentent les candidats ou les partis politiques. Si les candidats ou les partis politiques définissent que la police n’est pas nécessaire alors l'entité organisationnelle doit être responsable du maintien de l'ordre. Il faut noter que la loi ne contient pas des provisions spécifiques pour la sécurité des femmes mais s’adresse aux électeurs en général.

Dans tous les cas, des recommandations spéciales doivent être considérées pour la réalisation d’une campagne électorale calme et pacifique. On peut citer, entre autres, les suivantes :

·         La police doit être en constante alerte afin de ramener le calme dans les zones qui connaissent  une certaine insécurité.

·         Personne ou aucun groupe ne devrait  avoir les mains libres pour terroriser les électeurs.

•         Les organes de gestion électorale (OGE) devraient être engagés à mener un programme approfondi d’éducation civique au niveau national.
•         Les OGE devraient enquêter et poursuivre les coupables de violence en conformité avec la loi.
•         Le gouvernement doit assurer la sécurité et donner la priorité à des considérations de sécurité toutes particulières aux femmes. Cela encouragerait les femmes à participer effectivement à la vie politique sans crainte.
•         Il est également important pour les femmes d’organiser leurs meetings de campagne conformément  à la loi et informer  d'avance la police sur tous les contours lies a leurs activités.  
•         Tous les acteurs politiques, sociaux et administratifs doivent travailler de concert pour promouvoir une conscience civique autour des élections et conformément à la loi.
•  

I would like to bring to your attention that there was an e-discussion in Iknow Politics on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics (see Summary of E-Discussion on Eliminating Violence against Women in Politics). 

A second e-discussion:  “Online Harassment of Women in Politics: How Online Harassment isn’t ‘Virtual For Women” is going on at the moment, so it would be useful to consolidate all the materials and contributions.

For more resources on Violence against women in Politics, please click here:

In French: http://iknowpolitics.org/fr/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In Spanish: http://iknowpolitics.org/es/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In English: http://iknowpolitics.org/en/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In Arabic: http://iknowpolitics.org/ar/issues/violence-against-women-politics

Finally, UNDP and UN Women are finalizing a publication on the topic entitled, Political Violence Against Women in Elections: A Framework for Analysis and Prevention.  We hope to have it ready in the coming months.

I would like to bring to your attention that there was an e-discussion in Iknow Politics on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics (see Summary of E-Discussion on Eliminating Violence against Women in Politics). 

A second e-discussion:  “Online Harassment of Women in Politics: How Online Harassment isn’t ‘Virtual For Women” is going on at the moment, so it would be useful to consolidate all the materials and contributions.

There are a few countries in Latin America that have passed legislation related to violence and harassment of women during election.  You can find some examples of the legislation in the Spanish library of iknow politics.

For more resources on Violence against women in Politics, please click the links. 

In French: http://iknowpolitics.org/fr/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In Spanish: http://iknowpolitics.org/es/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In English: http://iknowpolitics.org/en/issues/violence-against-women-politics

In Arabic: http://iknowpolitics.org/ar/issues/violence-against-women-politics

Finally, UNDP and UN Women are finalizing a publication on the topic entitled, Political Violence Against Women in Elections: A Framework for Analysis and Prevention.  We hope to have it ready in the coming months.

En Ecuador se aplica directamente la Constitución y el Código de la Democracia. Allí se establecen mecanismos de estímulo a la participación de la mujer.

El Código de la Democracia, dispone:

Art. 3.- El Estado promueve la representación paritaria de mujeres y hombres en los cargos de nominación o designación de la función pública, en sus instancias de dirección y decisión, y en los partidos y movimientos políticos. En las candidaturas para las elecciones pluripersonales será obligatoria su participación alternada y secuencial.
El Estado adoptará medidas de acción afirmativa para garantizar la participación de los sectores discriminados.

Art. ...- Las ciudadanas o los ciudadanos que realicen acciones sistemáticas de presión,
hostigamiento, amenazas o cualquier acto de fuerza contra una persona que tengan por objeto
restringir o impedir su acceso a puestos de elección popular; serán sancionadas o sancionados
según el Código Penal.

Most countries have ratified CEDAW, which has specific provisions for women's political participation. Electoral commissions, as national institutions, are obliged to ensure that electoral procedures safeguard women's rights to inclusive electoral processes and can advise lawmakers to make harassment of women politicians a criminal offence and establish mechanisms to end impunity for such crimes. 

This response is posted by ACE on behalf of PN member Zaida Abdala. 

Dear, first of all I would like to express my respectful greetings.

Talking about violence and intimidation against women candidates  during the election campaign, I have to report that this is a fact and has occurred in many countries including my country Mozambique.

What has been found is the electorate like the conduct of a certain candidate, of his character, commitment to social causes, charisma, entrepreneurial spirit, demonstration of professionalism, participation in programs that provide democracy in the country and the family support but when it comes time of year, people with powers to support it, isolate it, ridicule it and humiliate it to discredit it so never again to re-apply.

This practice has been common in Mozambique and unfortunately the electorate regrets that and everything ends up in mourning rather than seek mechanisms to protect and support women candidates. There is no intention to make regulations, rules or laws that punish such attitudes.

In Africa unfortunately involvement and acceptance of women in politics is still far from desired for lack of encouragement and perhaps self determination of women in these matters. Still prevalent conception that man alone is capable of Leadership, only he is competent and able to innovate forgetting that this man who stands next to give bright ideas is this woman who is seen as unable to.

In Mozambique two women reputed candidates tried to apply for the Presidential elections in which polls indicate 68% of the voting electorate to one and 32% distributed among the remaining 36 candidates.

As a way to humiliate her for it to withdraw his application to intimidation within the parties there were, there were threats of dismissal from positions they were in at that time and even some leaders ceased its functions for expressing interest in candidates. Given the level of aggression and blackmail, the expected happened, the applicant withdrew his application and claims not re-apply anymore. 

The other woman was completely ignored, not having obtained the support of anyone, even those who have collaborated in various events organized by it.

Unfortunately we need to do a very hard work of educating people to come to believe more in women, giving space and resources so she can prove.

That's all for me to say about it, no more, I subscribe myself with the highest esteem and consideration.

Best regards,

Zaida Abdala

Maputo - Mozambique

Many references relating to prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence during elections can be found in International IDEA's Guide on Action Points for the Prevention and Mitigation of Election-related Violence.  

This guide constitutes one of several support documents of IDEA's Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool), which has an inherent features that allow, but also remind user to consider, monitor and address gender-based violence when implementing the tool.  

Because so much of the violence that occurs is related to intimidation (threats, attacks on personal integrity, morality, dignity, sexual harassment and sexualization of public image, etc), it is important to pay attention to new information technologies (ICTs) when we talk about violence against women in elections.

Much of the violence that occurs can take place through ICTs (social media, cell phones, etc). These same technologies also offer great solutions, including improved ability to monitor and document violence, via education and awareness-raising platforms and through empowerment and advocacy initiatives. 

I wrote an article on this last fall that explains this detail:

http://http://www.stabilityjournal.org/article/view/sta.cs

Also, the earlier IFES White Paper ("Breaking the Mold") is a good overview to the issues involved. As Aleida wrote, the upcoming UNDP publication will cover the topic exhaustively.

KANDO Véronique

A mon avis, il y a trois volets à prendre en compte:

- Assainir l’environnement même de la campagne électorale. On ne peut pas protéger la femme candidate dans un climat général de violence. Le cadre légal doit être particulièrement explicite sur tout ce qui peut conduire à la violence et prévoir des sanctions. Un code de conduite adopté par les partis ou les candidats en lice, par la contrainte morale qu'il exerce peut être atout important.

-  Travailler en amont pour rendre les acteurs genre sensibles. Par exemple, une population genre sensible rejettera les violences faites aux femmes pendant les campagnes électorales, ce qui obligera les candidats prêts à utiliser cette arme à y renoncer.

- Former les femmes elles mêmes à la riposte contre ce types de violences.  Elles doivent par leur propre style, leur langage, leur approche des populations, leur thème de campagne et leur dynamisme valoriser leurs candidatures.

This response is posted by ACE on behalf of Practitioners' Network member Vasu Mohan.

IFES Maldives Gender Assessment 2014 revealed that certain interpretations of Islam were being used to craft messages against women candidates. Several women reported responding with hadiths, which showed that it was clearly permissible for women to be politically active. Unlike some countries where fatwas have been issued in support of women candidates, such a step has not yet been taken in the Maldives. Interlocutors indicated an increase in certain interpretations of Sharia over the last ten years in the Maldives, which have limited women’s role in public life.  Despite this challenge, a Maldivian NGO is working with Sister in Islam to create booklets to educate women on their rights in accordance with Islam. So far these booklets have been given out at large public events. IFES’ Gender Assessment team found a great deal of interest in IFES’ Muslim Women’s Rights project conducted in India and possible applications in the Maldivian context to extend the current work being done.

In addition, IFES’ Gender Assessment team found that all interlocutors stated the importance of family support for women who want to run for public office. This was true for several reasons, family provided key support in terms of providing child care, and filling any gaps in domestic responsibilities. Male family members would often accompany female candidates who often had to travel outside of their island of residence in order to campaign. Family also provided critical financial support for campaigning.  As family support in running for public office is so critical, domestic violence would clearly inhibit women from seeking political office. The Women’s Health and Pubic Life Survey revealed that in the Maldives 1 in 5 women aged 15-49 (19.5%), who had ever been in a relationship, reported experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by and intimate partner. Data from the Right Side of Life survey 2011, showed that the majority of men and women felt that men were justified in hitting their wives for going against Islam and that significantly more men felt it was acceptable to hit their wives in 2011 than 2005. Anecdotal evidence collected during IFES’ Gender Assessment pointed to a lack of clarity among women, particularly at the local level, as to whether Islam allows women to run for office. Therefore, women may fear that they would be inhibited by their male partner from pursuing political office. The Maldives passed the Domestic Violence Act in April of 2012 to provide recourse for women who experience domestic violence. IFES’ Gender Assessment Team met with both The Health and Gender Ministry and the Family Protection Authority, which is understaffed and underfunded, but doing a great deal of work to try to implement that Act. 

Please see the below links to IFES publication on election violence:

http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Interviews/2013/Understanding-Opposition-Gabrielle-Bardall-on-Election-Violence-Undemocratic-Elections-and-Gender.aspx

http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/White-Papers/2012/~/media/Files/Publications/White%20PaperReport/2012/Integrated_Approach_to_Elections_and_Conflict.pdf