Exploring Forms of Political Violence Against Women and their Effect on Women’s Political Participation in Matero Constituency of Lusaka District, Zambia.

Abstract

This article explored the forms of political violence against women and their effects on women’s political participation in Matero Constituency of Lusaka District, Zambia. This research took a qualitative approach and rode on a case study design to generate evidence. A sample of 24 political party leaders were recruited through homogenous purposive sampling procedure. The data was generated using interviews and was analysed thematically. This research found that five (5) forms of political violence against women were in existence in Matero Constituency. These included: physical, psychological, sexual, economic and semiotic violence. This research also revealed that political violence against women affected the political participation of women negatively as cases of resignations, disenfranchisement and fear to participate, confinement to lower positions and reduced freedom of expression were prominent in the constituency. This research concluded that there was a growing increase in the forms of political violence against women in Matero constituency and this discouraged women from participating in political processes as expected. Among others, it is recommended that the Zambia Center for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID), the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) should convene wider consultative seminars and workshops to familiarize themselves and the general public with the forms of political violence against women.