By Maxine N. Nkomo
Introduction: Democracy’s Unfinished Business
Africa’s democratic journey is vibrant and dynamic, yet far from complete. The chapter on women’s political leadership remains unwritten, often marked by violence, exclusion, and a silent cry for help. Violence against women in politics (VAWP) is a crisis that threatens not only physical safety but also constitutional integrity and democratic legitimacy. When women leaders face threats, harassment and psychological abuse, the promise of equal representation crumbles and society loses transformative leaders who could advance justice and peace.
This violence is not just a personal attack on individual women but an assault on constitutional principles, human rights and the promise of inclusive democracy. Although African legal frameworks, such as the African Union’s Maputo Protocol and Agenda 2063, commit to eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality, the reality on the ground in many African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya, tells a different story. The gap between these legal promises and the everyday political experiences of women demands urgent attention.
Legal Promises vs. Lived Realities
Across the region, progressive legal frameworks exist on paper:
– Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution guarantees gender equality and prohibits all forms of violence and discrimination.
– South Africa’s Constitution is recognized for its robust equality clauses and protection from harassment.
– Kenya’s 2010 Constitution affirms the right to participate freely in political life and prohibits gender-based violence.
Despite these protections, women candidates and elected leaders are routinely subjected to smear campaigns, online abuse, physical intimidation, and psychological attacks designed to force them out of politics. During Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections, women faced cyber-bullying and threats of sexual violence, prompting some to withdraw from electoral races. In South Africa, several women MPs reported sustained online and in-person harassment that threatened their personal safety and mental well-being. In Kenya, women who challenged powerful incumbents during the 2022 elections experienced not only threats and assault but also sabotage of their campaign materials and exclusion from political events.
Ugandan legal scholar Sylvia Tamale reminds us that legal texts alone cannot dismantle patriarchy. Instead, she advocates for a ‘decolonial transformation’ of our legal and social systems to eradicate the invisible structures that perpetuate violence.
The Unseen Cost: Mental Health as a Justice Issue
Political violence against women inflicts profound psychological harm, ranging from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can force many women to withdraw from politics altogether, creating a chilling effect on future women leaders. Patricia Kameri-Mbote, a leading African feminist legal scholar, argues that violence against women in politics violates both bodily integrity and psychological security, denying women full citizenship.
Unfortunately, most national and regional legal frameworks do not adequately address mental health as part of access to justice. True justice must extend beyond legal remedies; it must also encompass healing. To achieve this, courts and legal aid programs should integrate trauma-informed practices and psychosocial care for women navigating political spaces.
War, Conflict and Political Violence
Just as history repeats itself, there’s a clear intersection between the past and present political atmosphere that women are exposed to. For instance, although Zimbabwe has avoided major armed conflict since the 2008 post-election violence, the violent legacy still lingers. During the 2023 elections, women candidates received threats of abduction, physical assault and coordinated online harassment.
Similarly, Kenya’s 2007-2008 post-election violence left a deep scar on the political landscape, and these wounds resurfaced in the 2022 general elections. Several female candidates faced renewed threats, including bodily harm, death threats, and exclusion from rallies. Women are often targeted not only for their political ambitions but also for their roles as community mobilizers and peace-builders.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 highlights the link between sustainable peace and gender equality, emphasizing the importance of “a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality and respect for human rights.” Yet, violence persists as a tool to exclude women from critical decision-making spaces, hindering long-term peace building efforts.
A Dual Approach: Law and Healing
To truly eliminate violence against women in politics, we must combine robust legal reforms with comprehensive mental health support.
- Legal Strategies
- Fully domesticate and enforce the Maputo Protocol in national legislation, including explicit provisions against psychological violence.
- Strengthen electoral laws to criminalize online harassment, disinformation campaigns and physical threats targeted at women leaders.
- Establish independent electoral and gender commissions with clear mandates to protect women candidates and investigate complaints swiftly.
- Mental Health and Psycho-Legal Support
- Integrate mental health services into legal aid programs for women leaders, inspired by models like FIDA Kenya’s survivor-centered support.
- Train lawyers, judges and electoral bodies in trauma-informed practices and mental health first aid.
- Create peer solidarity networks where women can share experiences, access counselling and rebuild their confidence.
Conclusion: Towards Justice That Liberates Mind and Body
Ending violence against women in politics is not a peripheral gender issue; it’s central to the health of our democracies. Violence against women in politics (VAWP) undermines democracy, violates human rights, and perpetuates patriarchal dominance. True justice demands that women can lead without fear – physically, psychologically and socially.
By fully enforcing AU commitments like the Maputo Protocol, strengthening national laws, embedding trauma-informed support systems, and fostering solidarity with men, we can build political cultures where women are not merely present but powerful and whole.
As we mark Men’s Mental Health Month, it’s essential to acknowledge that men, too, often carry unaddressed trauma from conflict and political struggles. Some become perpetrators due to unprocessed trauma, while others remain silent allies fearing reprisal. A feminist justice approach must encourage men to join the struggle for non-violence and accountability.
Programs that engage male political actors as allies, train them in gender sensitivity, and support their own mental health are crucial to transforming political cultures from within. The future of Africa’s democracy lies in justice that heals, not just punishes. We owe it to the next generation of women leaders to ensure they inherit not only a place at the table but a safe, supportive and empowering seat. A democracy worthy of its name is one where women can lead powerfully, safely and whole, embracing their femininity without fear.
Author: Maxine N. Nkomo
International Human Rights Lawyer | Rule of Law and Access to Justice | Gender and Women ‘Rights Advocate
References
Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
Constitution of Kenya, 2010
Zimbabwe Peace Project, “Election-Related Gendered Violence Report,” 2023
Dr. Anne Petersen, “Cyber Harassment of Women MPs in South Africa,” SA Law Review, 2024
Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, “Political Participation and GBV Report,” 2023
[1]FIDA Kenya, Integrated Legal and Psychological Support Pilot Report, 2023.
Tamale, Sylvia. Decolonization and Afro-Feminism. Daraja Press, 2020
Kameri-Mbote, Patricia, “Gender, Bodily Integrity and Citizenship,” East African Journal of Human Rights, 2021
African Union, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, 2015
Commission for Gender Equality South Africa, “2024 National Dialogue on Political Participation.”
Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), “Two-Thirds Gender Rule Implementation Challenges,” 2024
Commission for Gender Equality South Africa, “2024 National Dialogue on Political Participation.”
Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, “Two-Thirds Gender Rule Implementation Challenges,” 2024