Unpacking Democracy: Intersectionality of Gender and Violence Against Political Actors

Luxembourg is placing gender at the heart of its 2024 Presidency of the Council of Member States of International IDEA. Join us for an engaging virtual discussion on the critical role gender plays in shaping the exercise of democratic rights – from participation to representation.

This event will spotlight the challenges faced by individuals in various roles - from voters and party members to elected leaders, election observers, media, and electoral officials. How does gender intersect with violence against political actors? What can be attributed to the fact that violence against political actors is increasingly technology-facilitated? The panel will delve into these questions as well as underpinning factors such as formal and informal laws, socio-cultural norms and practices, and gender stereotypes behind gender-based discrimination and violence in political and electoral processes. This discussion draws from global trends analysis conducted by the Summit for Democracy Cohort on Gender Equality, highlighting the deeply gendered challenges to the exercise of democratic rights to participate and be represented.

Agenda

Welcome Remarks

• Ms. Anne Goedert, Ambassador-at-large for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Luxembourg

Presentation

• Elin Bjarnegård, Professor of Political Science, Department of Government, Uppsala University 
• Pär Zetterberg, Professor of Political Science, Department of Government, Uppsala University

Discussion

• Mona Lena Krook, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Women & Politics Ph.D. Program, Rutgers University, USA
• Marcela Rios Tobar, Director of Latin America, and the Caribbean, Marcela Rios Tobar, Director of Latin America, and the Caribbean, International IDEA 
• Hon. Regina Esparon, Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Women's Parliamentary Caucus, Member of Parliament, Seychelles

Q&A

Closing Remarks

• Massimo Tommasoli, Director of Global Programmes, International IDEA

This event is moderated by Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, Senior Adviser, Democracy and Inclusion, International IDEA.