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Empowering women’s political participation |03 February 2020

Empowering women’s political participation

Participants during the program on Friday (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

The Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles (CDWS) in collaboration with the United States embassy organised the viewing of a virtual program under the theme ‘Empowering Women’s Political Participation’ last week at the National Council for Children (NCC) secretariat at Bel Eau.

The program was attended by some fifteen women including three current members of the National Assembly – Audrey Vidot, Florry Larue and Regina Esparon. As more women run for office and claim their right to equal representation in political processes, including in leadership roles, they have encountered increasing levels of harassment, intimidation and abuse. Gender-based violence against women participating in the political sphere has a chilling effect on women’s civic engagement and human rights. The hour-long program discussed how violence against women in politics threatens peace and security and the building of robust democratic institutions.

The debate was animated by two panellists – Sandra Pepera, who is a career diplomat and international development professional and Dr Gabrielle Bardall, who is a research associate with the Centre for International Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa and an independent consultant.

The two panellists addressed how violence against women in politics undermines democracy and human rights, and is a barrier to peace and security and also provided some tools to overcome barriers, prevent violence against women in the political sphere, and empower women’s participation in political processes.

After the program, the participants expressed that more education about the rights of women in politics is needed.

“We also need to relook at our laws in order to give more protection to the women in terms of gender parity. We also need more people including men to participate in such programs,” noted the participants.

This program was attended live by various groups gathered by the US embassies in the African region.

 

Vidya Gappy

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