Gender-Specific Election Violence: The Role of Information and Communication Technologies

Authors

  • Gabrielle Bardall Université de Montréal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/sta.cs

Keywords:

ICT4D, violence, women, gender, election

Abstract

The rising influence of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has paralleled the rapid development of women’s political participation worldwide. For women entering political life or holding public positions, new ICTs are frequently used as tools of gender-specific electoral and political violence. There is evidence of ICTs being used to perpetrate a broad range of violent acts against women during elections, especially acts inflicting fear and psychological harm. Specific characteristics of ICTs are particularly adapted to misuse in this manner. Despite these significant challenges, ICTs also offer groundbreaking solutions for preventing and mitigating violence against women in elections (VAWE). Notably, ICTs combat VAWE through monitoring and documenting violence, via education and awareness-raising platforms and through empowerment and advocacy initiatives. 

Author Biography

Gabrielle Bardall, Université de Montréal

Gabrielle Bardall is an academic and an electoral assistance expert with a decade of experience supporting electoral processes in transitional states. She has worked with UN Women, UNDP, The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Democracy Reporting International, The Carter Center and other organizations to educate, advise and advocate on issues of women’s political participation in over 25 countries. She holds degrees from McGill University and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, and is currently a PhD candidate at the Université de Montréal. She is a 2012 Trudeau Scholar and an Expert Level Facilitator with the BRIDGE Project.

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Published

2013-11-22

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Practice Notes

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Copyright (c) 2013 The Author(s)

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