Violence against women in politics (VAWP) is a type of gender-based violence (GBV) that remains a threat to women’s full political participation globally. Women activists, elected officials, candidates and voters are targeted online and offline. These violent attacks are a direct violation of women’s human right to engage politically and have their voices heard. Physical assault, including sexual violence, forced disappearances and coercion are a few examples of VAWP.  

Unfortunately, this violence affects not only the individual but also the communities that they represent. VAWP deters future generations of women leaders from a career in politics. We know that women’s full and meaningful participation in politics leads to stronger democracies. However, barriers like VAWP continue to inhibit women’s participation. Threats to women’s participation in politics are threats to democracy. It is up to communities, civil society and governments to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP.  

 The Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) will conduct the fourth annual 10 Days of Activism Against GBV advocacy campaign (10 Days Campaign) focused on VAWP from June 21 to June 30, 2022. Prior to the 10 Days Campaign, WDN members developed a Global Manifesto to Address Violence Against Women in Politics. During 10 Days Campaign, WDN members will advocate to civil society and government leaders to sign the manifesto to demonstrate their commitment to address VAWP.

June 21

10 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 

WDN Members Twitter: 

Addressing violence against women in politics starts with raising greater awareness and empowering women’s voices. Join @IRIGlobal and @WDN during the 10 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP. Here’s how ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Women have a fundamental right to live free from violence, use their voices and fully participate in economic, social and political life.   
  
Join @WDNGlobal during the 10 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence and call on governments around the world to #HearHerNow and empower women’s voices. Learn how ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

10 Days of Activism 2022
10 Days of Activism 2022

June 22

Hear Her Now

WDN Members Twitter: 

To ensure the equal participation of women in political processes, violence against women in politics must end. Join @WDN and advocate to community and government leaders to empower women’s voices and #HearHerNow. Sign the manifesto here: https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Examples of violence against women in politics include online attacks, offline stalking, physical attacks and emotional harm. These instances of violence and intimidation comes from not just strangers, but families and communities.  

@WDNGlobal is saying NO to violence against women in politics by calling on communities and government leaders to demonstrate their commitment to address VAWP by signing WDN’s global manifesto. #HearHerNow #EndVAWP

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Hear Her Now
Hear Her Now | End Gender-Based Violence

June 23

Women’s Political Participation

WDN Members Twitter: 

Politics must be free of violence. With @WDN, I’m standing up to violence against women in politics and calling on political institutions to #EndVAWP. Stand with me and #HearHerNow
https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Politics must be free of violence. With @WDN, I’m standing up to violence against women in politics and calling on political institutions to #EndVAWP.  

Stand with me and #HearHerNow. Here’s how ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Free Politics from Violence

June 24

Online Violence

WDN Members Twitter: 

Online harassment directed at women politicians, opposed to men, is more likely to focus on their physical appearance and include threats of sexual violence. These threats highlight gender stereotypes and undermine their participation. Join @WDN’s call to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP. Sign and share the manifesto https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Online harassment directed at women politicians, opposed to men, is more likely to focus on their physical appearance and include threats of sexual violence. These threats highlight gender stereotypes and undermine their participation.  

Join @WDNGlobal’s call to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP. Sign and share the manifesto to stop violence against women in politics https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

1 in 3 women under the age of 35 has experienced sexual harassment online

June 25

Manifestations of VAWP

WDN Members Twitter: 

Experiences of violence against women in politics include threats, abuse and ostracization from family and friends. @WDN is calling on communities and government officials around the world to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP by signing the global manifesto https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Experiences of violence against women in politics include threats, abuse and ostracization from family and friends.  

@WDNGlobal is calling on communities and government officials around the world to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP by signing the global manifesto.

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Violence against women in politics can manifest physically, psychologically, sexually, both offline and online. Stop the silencing of women.

June 26

Democracy Needs Women

WDN Members Twitter: 

Research shows that women’s leadership in politics improves the efficacy of democracy. @IRIGlobal’s @WDN is challenging political parties and government institutions to address barriers to women’s political participation #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Research shows that women’s leadership in politics improves the efficacy of democracy.  

Join @WDNGlobal during the 10 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to #EndVAWP and call on political parties to #HearHerNow. Learn more ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Only 26 percent of legislative seats are held by women.

June 27

VAWP and Physical Violence

WDN Members Twitter: 

Attacks on women in politics are on the rise around the world. @IRIGlobal’s @WDN is working to #EndVAWP and empower women leaders, but we can’t do it alone. I challenge you to #EndVAWP by signing the global manifesto. Learn how ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Attacks on women in politics are on the rise around the world. @InternationalRepublicanInstitute’s @WDNGlobal is working to #EndVAWP and empower women leaders, but we can’t do it alone. I challenge you to #HearHerNow by signing the global manifesto. Learn how ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Non-sexual physical attacks account for two-thirds of instances of violence towards women in politics.

June 28

Anti-VAWP

WDN Members Twitter: 

We agree, @abdulla_shahid. Join @WDN to end violence against women in politics. Show your commitment. Sign the manifesto #EndVAWP ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

We agree, @shahidFM. Join @WDN to end violence against women in politics. Show your commitment. Sign the manifesto #EndVAWP ➡ https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

“Violence against women in politics is a moral failure on us as a society” – Abdulla Shahid, UN General Assembly President

June 29

VAWP and Young Women

WDN Members Twitter: 

Violence against women in politics remains a significant disincentive for young women considering a career in politics. Protect tomorrow’s leaders. Join @IRIGlobal’s @WDN by advocating to end VAWP. Sign the manifesto to #EndVAWP #HearHerNow

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

Violence towards women in politics remains a significant disincentive for young women considering a career in politics. Protect tomorrow’s leaders. Join @IRIGlobal’s @WDN by advocating to end VAWP. Sign the manifesto to #EndVAWP #HearHerNow

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

“Violence against women in politics is a moral failure on us as a society” – Abdulla Shahid, UN General Assembly President

June 30

Targets of VAWP

WDN Members Twitter: 

With every vote that is not cast and every voice that is not heard, communities fail to address the needs of their citizens. @WDN is calling on political institutions to listen to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

WDN Members Facebook: 

With every vote that is not cast and every voice that is not heard, communities fail to address the needs of their citizens. @WDNGlobal is calling on political institutions to #HearHerNow and #EndVAWP. Here’s how ➡

https://www.iri.org/news/10-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-advocacy-campaign/

Protect women from violence against women in politics.
Up ArrowTop