Women's Leadership

In this seminar, Mona Lena Krook, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Women and Politics Ph.D. Program at Rutgers University, shared insights from her book Violence against Women in Politics (Oxford University Press, 2020). Drawing from insights in multiple disciplines, she argues that violence against women in politics is not simply a gendered extension of existing definitions of political violence–but rather a distinct form of harm to attack and undermine women as political actors.

Source: Women and Public Policy Program

The event, which took place on 23rd March during the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), focused on women in leadership, women’s public participation, and inclusive governance structures that support women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life. The virtual event provided an opportunity to engage with and learn from some exceptional leaders about practical ways to promote women’s participation and leadership decision making and democratic life within different settings.

Source: UN Habitat

The WPL Summit 2021 on June 21^st brought to the table the crucial role of women leaders in the recovery of the pandemic, including the opportunity to share with leaders the aims of the Reykjavík Manual, through policy initiatives, personal development, and community engagement.

Co-hosted by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, and with the advisory support of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the Summit gathered distinguished leaders from around the globe to look beyond the pandemic to an unprecedented decade of sustained action in which strong, durable, sustainable advances will be made in women’s leadership and in equality and opportunity for all.

Contents of the summit:

• 0:00:00 Countdown
• 0:09:45 Intro
• 0:10:41 Opening Sessio
• 0:44:15 Keynote Addresses
• 1:12:44 Roundtable Discussion - Session One
• 1:50:20 Roundtable Discussion - Session Two
• 2:26:05 Roundtable Discussion - Session Three
• 3:04:24 National Transformative Dialogues
• 3:22:44 Reykjavík Manual Launch Video
• 3:24:25 Summarising Remarks
• 3:27:32 Statements by National Delegation Leaders

Click here to see the programme.

Kristina Wilfore and Lucina Di Meco are global experts and passionate advocates for women’s digital rights. With more than 800 million people using the internet as a primary source of information, these ladies are critically concerned about the number of intentional and fraudulent attacks against female politicians and journalists online. The rise of gendered disinformation to undermine women in leadership and deter women from running for political office is pervasive. Kristina and Lucina reflect on individual and social consequences of these strategic digital attacks on women, how they're working to bring public awareness with their initiative, #ShePersisted, and why social media companies should be held accountable.

Click here to listen to the conversation.

For women political leaders, social media had the potential to be a big gamechanger. Often left invisible in the media and lacking access to large financial resources, this was the space where they could overcome traditional barriers and engage with citizens directly. But instead, the online world has increasingly become another site of harassment and abuse for many women politicians across the world.

Gendered abuse, misogynistic comments, even rape threats, doctored images, fake nudes, and doxing of personal information are common, and often come via armies of organized “trolls”. It has affected their well-being, forced many to reconsider their decision to be in politics, and even enabled murderous attacks on women.

This is what Lucina Di Meco, co-founder of #ShePersisted Global, found in her research on the role social media is playing in fostering gender-inclusive and participatory democracies. She found “overwhelming” abuse for women around the world - with similar misogynistic tropes routinely adapting themselves to local contexts in countries as diverse as India, Italy and the Philippines.

Click here to read the full article and interview published by WomenLead on 17 June 2021.

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kakumiro Woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja has been approved by legislators as Uganda’s first female Prime Minister. Nabbanja will replace Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, now a special envoy in the Office of the President.

Chris Baryomunsi, the Kinkizi East MP on Monday moved a motion seeking the approval of Nabbanja as the Prime Minister, describing Nabbanja as a hardworking and a no-nonsense person when it comes to fighting corruption and proper use of public resources.

He added that Nabbanja is a patriot, team player and will be able to offer leadership as Prime Minister once given the opportunity.

While seconding the motion, Oyam South MP Betty Amongi said that Nabbanja has risen through different leadership positions and understands what the ordinary Ugandan goes through.

Click here to read the full article published by The Independent on 14 June 2021.