The phenomenon of violence against women in politics has expanded. One of the explanations is that the number of politicians has increased. At least half of the women who took part in electoral debates faced one form of gender-based violence. Also, 43% of the female electoral activists were subject to aggression, hate speech and violence during elections. Representatives of the Women’s Political Club 50/50 and the Gender Equality Platform sound the alarm over these data and seek a correct, equidistant, non-discriminatory and non-sexist election campaign.

“Among the most spread forms of sexist speech were the insulting labels from challengers, use of adjectives that build up stereotypes, prejudice, sexist jokes, sexual allusions and vulgarity. These are among the most often forms inciting discrimination, which are used in election campaign,” secretary general of the Gender Equality Platform Nina Lozinschi-Sutac stated in a news conference hosted by IPN.

“We ask the political parties to ensure a correct and non-sexist election campaign, to respect the gender quota regarding the involvement of male and female candidates in the local elections. The building of women’s resilience in elections is an important precondition as the woman must be able to cope with the challenges in the context of the multiple crises faced today by the Republic of Moldova and to facilitate the access to financial resources for female candidates,” said Valentina Bodrug, head of Gender-Centru.

The call is addressed to all the candidates, male and female. These are urged to adopt a respectful electoral behavior and not to cross the limits when it goes to criticism. Hate speech, implicitly the sexist and violent one, should be combated.

The call is also addressed to civil society organizations. These are asked to monitor the electoral process and to report cases of sexism, violence and aggression against male and female candidates. “We call on the female candidates to report cases of violence and aggression to the police, the CEC, the Equality Council and on the portal www.gender.monitor.md,” stated Valentina Bodrug.

Women’s Political Club 50/50 deputy director Marina Marian said it would be welcome if the Central Election Commission issued a circular to remind the political parties of the electoral provisions on the placing of female candidates on electoral lists.

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