PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 December, 2019
Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) is Gender Based Violence (GBV) and should not be condoned
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 20 December, 2019 (TTO): The Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) condemns the recent cyber attack on a female politician in Trinidad and Tobago. Violence against women in politics (VAWP) is Gender Based Violence (GBV) and a human rights violation that impacts society. It is also a fundamental barrier to women’s participation in decision-making and public life.
Internet based technology has created new opportunities for women to be empowered, engaged and express themselves politically. However, there has been a growing trend by individuals who seek to use this tool as a way to subject women to violence, through cyberbullying, revenge porn, doxing and cyberstalking. This acts as a deterrent and prevents women from entering active politics as they are frustrated by the shame and public humiliation that the ensuing political backlash and criticism creates.
VAWP hinders women’s political participation, political rights and processes. This ultimately leads to policy outcomes suffering from the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions. VAWP is perpetrated by both men and women who seek to silence and marginalize women as they gain visibility and influence in politics.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved without gender equality and a meaningful engagement through women’s participation in politics. Increased involvement of women in political leadership results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and a more sustainable future for all.
Ahead of the Commission on the State of Women (CSW) 64 / Beijing+25 in March 2020 it should be noted that ‘Women in Power and Decision-Making’ is a key action for women’s equal access to decision-making positions, including political and public life. The Beijing Platform for Action calls for removing barriers to equal participation of women including violence against women in politics (VAWP). This supports several international instruments and commitments; which Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory. The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women (Belém do Pará, 1994) – Articles 4 and 5 and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (New York, 1979) – Article 7.
CIWiL will continue to work and partner with Governments, parliaments, international organizations, cross-party movements and civil society organizations throughout the region to build solidarity among women in politics and empower them to create a common agenda to mitigate all forms of GBV against women.
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About CIWiL: Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) is a non-partisan and independent organization, established to monitor and strengthen the work of increasing women’s political participation in the region through advocacy, networking, research and capacity building.
Contact: For more information please contact, Crista Daniel – Gender and Communications Officer at cdaniel@ciwil.org or at 1-868-345-9153.