ELECTORAL VIOLENCE OR, intimidation or harassment can deter women from participating in politics altogether. Fear of violence or intimation may discourage women from running as candidates or engaging in political activities, leading to their underrepresentation in elected positions. This perpetuates gender inequality in political decision-making processes, and at our level, we believe it must stop.
ON AUGUST 10, 2023, Fatu Famatta Sheriff said she was aggressively confronted by a representative aspirant she identified as Mr. Zinnah Norma, along with his team, at the UBA bank on Broad Street.
“MR. ZINNAH NORMA and his team saw my car parked in front of a bank premises and violently parked their vehicle in front of mine and started verbal confrontation in a provocative, uncivil, aloof and aggressive manner,” she said.
WE SEE ACTS of such as a threat to the beauty of democracy, which should allow all gender to participate in electoral processes without discrimination or other forms of intimidation.
WOMEN WHO EXPERIENCE violence during elections may be less likely to engage in future political activities. This can result in a decreased pool of women willing to participate in the political process, making it more challenging to achieve gender parity in political representation.
ELECTORAL HARRASSMENT AND intimidation can reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination against women. It sends a message that women are not welcome or safe in the political arena, reinforcing societal norms that limit women’s roles to non-political domains.
MOREOVER, IT UNDERMIMES the principles of free and fair elections, eroding trust in democratic processes. It can discourage citizens, particularly women, from participating in elections and engaging in the democratic process. This can lead to a lack of legitimacy for elected officials and weaken the overall democratic system.
WHEN WOMEN ARE deterred from participating in elections due to violence, societies miss out on the diverse perspectives and talents they bring to the table. Excluding women from the political sphere limits the range of ideas, experiences, and solutions available for addressing societal challenges.
ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AGAINST women also has what it takes to contribute to a broader culture of violence against women in society. When violence is used as a tool to silence or intimidate women in politics, it sends a message that violence is an acceptable means of controlling or suppressing women in other areas of life.
ADDRESSING ELECTORAL VIOLENCE against women is crucial for promoting gender equality, enhancing democracy, and ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities to participate in political processes.
WITH THIS, WE strongly frown at all forms of violence and intimidation against women before, during and even after the October 10, 2023 legislative and presidential elections, and call on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to do the needful.
