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Criminalizing violence against women in politics: innovation, diffusion, and transformation

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November 30, 2023

Criminalizing violence against women in politics: innovation, diffusion, and transformation

Source: Cambridge University Press

Abstract

Violence against women politicians is increasingly recognized as an issue that undermines women's presence in politics. Latin America has been at the vanguard of this global discussion. In 2012, Bolivia became the only country in the world to criminalize “political violence and harassment against women.” Several other countries have similar legislation in the works. What explains the emergence of these bill proposals? This article argues that the creation of these bills is the result of three processes: activism at the local level used international norms to propose an innovative solution to a problem; women politicians and “femocrats” worked within the state apparatus to overcome resistance; and international actors worked to foster connections among activists and politicians across the region. In this process, international norms have been transformed, with important implications for women's political representation.

Click here to read the full article published by the Cambridge University Press on 27 July 2020.

Image by Cambridge University Press

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Resource type
Author
Juliana Restrepo Sanín
Editor
University of Florida
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication year
2020
Focus areas

Abstract

Violence against women politicians is increasingly recognized as an issue that undermines women's presence in politics. Latin America has been at the vanguard of this global discussion. In 2012, Bolivia became the only country in the world to criminalize “political violence and harassment against women.” Several other countries have similar legislation in the works. What explains the emergence of these bill proposals? This article argues that the creation of these bills is the result of three processes: activism at the local level used international norms to propose an innovative solution to a problem; women politicians and “femocrats” worked within the state apparatus to overcome resistance; and international actors worked to foster connections among activists and politicians across the region. In this process, international norms have been transformed, with important implications for women's political representation.

Click here to read the full article published by the Cambridge University Press on 27 July 2020.

Image by Cambridge University Press

.

Resource type
Author
Juliana Restrepo Sanín
Editor
University of Florida
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication year
2020
Focus areas