Violence Against Women in Politics and the Instruments to Fight

Abstract

Violence against women in politics attracts more and more attention from political actors and the scientific community. Along with the increase in the number of politically active women around the world, the frequency of violence against women in politics and the extent of its manifestation has increased. Although the representation of women at the decision-making levels, especially at the legislative level, has increased dramatically in recent years, at the same time, the cases of violence against women in politics have increased. As a rule, women have to pay a much higher price for political participation than male politicians.

Violence against women in politics is a result of incomplete democratic consolidation.  Some researchers consider violence against women to be a kind of category which is related to weak state capacity and criminal justice systems. This phenomenon emphasizes not only the existence of violence against women in the country but also points to the shortcomings of the existing legislation and the syndrome of impunity in the country, to solve which the activation of both state and non-state actors and policy changes are essential.

Today, violence against women in politics is common all over the world, although this problem is pervasive in developing countries. Violence against women in politics is a form of gender-based violence against women (GBVAW). VAWP is any act or threat of physical, sexual, or psychological violence that prevents women from exercising and realizing their political rights and a range of human rights, which poses a severe challenge to democracy, human rights, and gender equality (UN Women, 2021).

The concept of violence against women in politics requires constant attention and study from researchers and scientists to give men and women equal opportunities to participate in politics without any fear or violence.