Ethiopia's Human Rights Commission Calls for an End to Gender-Based Violence in Elections

Strategic Insights -

As Ethiopia celebrates International Women's Day, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is highlighting the urgent need to address gender-based violence and hate speech against women participating in the country's 2021 national elections. A recent study conducted by the EHRC in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN) reveals that women taking part in the electoral process, particularly as candidates, are vulnerable to various forms of violence, both online and offline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EHRC's Rapid Assessment on Violence Against Women during Elections in Ethiopia found that women participating in the electoral process, including candidates, voters, and electoral officers, faced various forms of gender-based violence, including psychological, physical, economic, and sexual violence.
  • Women political party candidates were particularly vulnerable to such forms of violence, with some experiencing loss of property, imprisonment, physical and gender-based violence, and social isolation.
  • Women who expressed their political views online were exposed to gender-motivated hate speech, including comments on their physical appearance, attire, and social life.
  • The study revealed that law enforcement and government authorities often failed to take measures to protect women experiencing such forms of violence, and in some cases, were themselves part of the problem.
  • The EHRC has called on all stakeholders, including political parties, civic society organizations, and government authorities, to pledge to refrain from inciteful and hateful speech and other behavior that provokes human rights violations.
  • The Commission has also asked political parties to pledge to design strategies to increase the participation of women within their own party.

Statistics:

  • The study covered four regions in Ethiopia: Addis Abeba, Amhara, Oromia, and Somali.
  • The assessment included testimonies from 150 women active in politics and electoral activities, as well as experiences of law enforcement and government officials.
  • 75% of the women interviewed reported experiencing some form of gender-based violence during the electoral process.
  • 40% of the women reported experiencing physical violence, including imprisonment and loss of property.

Sources:

  • Addis Standard, "Ethiopia: HEHR calls on all stakeholders to prevent gender-based hate speech during 2021 elections" [Dispatch Copyright 2021 Addis Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)]