Deadline: 16 February 2021
One of the most serious barriers to inclusive democracies and institutions is violence or threats of violence that directly impact a woman’s ability to participate in politics and in the media. Violence against women in politics limits representation and violence against women in the media undermines the comprehensiveness of the information space. These forms of violence against women are a global issue that has only worsened as a result of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, there is often a lack of trust between women in politics and women in the media, which is often stoked by male leaders in both sectors promoting a toxic media environment and driving women out of both fields to the detriment of democracy.
In light of these challenges, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is excited to announce its new partnership with the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF). NDI and the IWMF will co-host a program that brings together women in politics and women in the media to combat violence against women in both of these sectors.
The program will be run in three countries – Mexico, Kenya, and Sri Lanka – with the support of NDI country teams, and IWMF staff and trainers. Through this partnership, NDI and IWMF hope to increase the safety of women in politics and women in the media both in-person and online. Participants will build coalitions and advocacy strategies addressing the negative impact on democracy caused by exclusionary media and political environments, and by violence against women who are active in politics and in the media.
For more information, visit IWMF website
