A war beyond the ballot box – Newsday Zimbabwe

Linda Masarira, who failed to register as a female presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, said women were subjected to violence simply because they dared to challenge spaces traditionally occupied by men.

Female politicians complain about increasing violence against women in politics, which prevents them from participating in important decision-making processes.

This comes at a time when female candidates are increasingly occupying higher political positions in government and political parties.

Linda Masarira, who failed to register as a female presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, said women were subjected to violence simply because they dared to challenge spaces traditionally occupied by men.

“Violence against women in politics is an issue of extreme concern that prevents women from participating in decision-making processes,” Masarira said.

“Women who enter the political arena are often subjected to targeted harassment, verbal abuse and even physical violence simply for daring to invade traditionally male-dominated spaces. This violence not only prevents women from participating, but also perpetuates a culture of fear and exclusion.

In 2018, only three women registered to run for senior office in Zimbabwe’s elections: Joice Mujuru. Thokozani Khupe and Violet Mariyacha. Only Elisabeth Valerio was brave enough to go to the polls in 2023.

Masarira said violence against women was designed to undermine trust, discredit them and their abilities, and silence their voices.

“It creates a hostile environment that discourages potential female leaders from coming forward, leading to a serious gender imbalance in political representation.”

The Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe) recently hosted a workshop focused on election repercussions and support for ending violence against women in politics and promoting well-being in communities that reveal a troubling pattern of systemic problems that inhibit women’s participation.

Walpe’s Sizalokuhle Ncube said the psychological impact on female candidates was among the most pressing concerns.

He said violence against women in politics is a persistent problem worldwide. In Zimbabwe, this violence takes different forms, including physical, sexual and psychological injury

“Research shows that female politicians face physical attack, intimidation and harassment during elections and campaigns,” Ncube said.

“Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for online violence against female politicians, with cases of cyberbullying, harassment and defamation being reported. “Female politicians are subjected to emotional abuse, humiliation and humiliation, affecting their mental health and ability to participate in politics.”

He added that survivors of previous trauma find themselves re-traumatized during political campaigns, facing recriminations and financial ruin.

To address this issue, the workshop emphasized the need for counseling and emotional intelligence training to help women cope with past experiences and build resilience.

“Over the past decade, politically motivated violence against women has been a widespread problem that has worsened gender inequalities in the political sphere,” Ncube said.

“Women in Zimbabwean politics face widespread harassment, including verbal abuse, sexual extortion, physical assault, cyberbullying and direct discrimination, especially during election periods.

“They face derogatory comments about their morals, social roles and personal choices, physical attacks during campaigns, and discouragement from active political participation.”

Lillian Muhwandavaka, general secretary of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu), says that as a female candidate, she often faces harassment, especially online.

“If you are violated and bullied, women often drop out of the race, and as a result I lost a lot of women in student activism because they are now afraid,” Muhwandavaka said.

Women leaders want policy reforms that will enable women to participate in politics.

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