Women in politics vulnerable to attacks from male leaders

As a society, we collude in silence about the nature and extent of violence against women in politics.

This avoidance is much more concerning in the case of the ANC, which has over decades defended gender equality in politics and as a governing party has strived for and defended 50/50 representation in all positions, not only within political structures but also in government.

This form of violence is characterised by blackmail, intimidation of family members such as children and spouses, character assassination of female representatives and sexual assaults during high-level political meetings.

One needs to understand the game so as to win. Violence against women in leadership, especially in politics, is often motivated by the desire to consolidate power, dominance and total control.

Women leaders in politics become a threat because of the number of women volunteers they can mobilise.

Consider this: which group acts as volunteers for all political parties in communities, cares for the sick, and generally preserves the values of society?

The way women are organised in society makes men who are desperate for power viciously attack women leaders, so as to usurp the women's constituencies for themselves. Other women are often used to act as the face of all forms of assaults against a woman leader.

One cannot help but hold the view that some women find themselves in a position whereby they serve the "Master" out of fear, insecurity or being trapped in entrenched, male-dominated organisational systems.

At a local government level in South Africa, we have seen women councillors being victims of public humiliation, their personal property being destroyed by citizens using either arson or all sorts of dangerous weapons. The costs of this form of violence are incalculable.

Women live with feelings of guilt, believing that they are responsible for the pain and suffering incurred by family members. In a patriarchal context, their husbands and family members reject them and collude with the public, further traumatising them. In some instances, humiliation leads to divorce.

The big question is why is this form of violence hidden and not put out as part of the public discourse, especially when the political stakes are high, during position contestations, campaigns, lobbying and, actually, when psychological warfare is waged for power and control of political bases.

Women's movements throughout the continent have made immense contributions in building safer communities and speaking out against all forms of gender-based violence. Lessons learnt and energies should be diverted to gender-based violence in politics, as it undermines women's gains in fighting for equal representation of women in political structures.

As part of our rekindled African renaissance journey, we have to defend and promote values allowing women to excel in politics and easily access presidential seats. Violence against women is a barrier and, as such, it should not be tolerated.

Women should speak out and openly condemn any form of intimidation and extremism, even during parliamentary sittings, as the aggressors tend to be more intolerant towards female leaders and would not expect them to resist when pushed out or silenced.

Mkhize is national convenor of the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa and former treasurer-general of the ANC Women's League