Voting on Gender Parity

IMF Blog, September 17, 2019

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Author: Rasmane Ouedraogo
Date: September 17, 2019
Context: Electoral violence occurs in many African countries, with thousands killed and displaced during election cycles.
Near-term risk: Over the next year and a half, Presidential elections are scheduled in thirteen sub-Saharan African countries, raising fears that, as in the past, violent incidents or conflict may erupt again.

Nearly half the individuals surveyed say that they fear becoming a victim of electoral violence.
That figure declines by a quarter if the female-to-male labor force participation ratio increases by 5 percent points.
Interpretation presented: Women’s participation in the workforce could make election-related violence less likely in Africa.

Any kind of exclusion is described as “suboptimal.”
Women are framed as crucial partners in generating social cohesion and political legitimacy.
Women’s participation in the workforce and at different levels of decision-making is said to help ensure that more and diverse members of the population are heard, and that those voices are engaged in electoral violence prevention and peacemaking.
Current gap: The gender gap is very large in some African nations; women are still largely absent from peace processes and decision-making circles.
Structural inequality in Africa is identified as a factor that could exacerbate electoral violence and its escalation.

African leaders should pay more attention to gender inequality.
Adopt appropriate policies to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
Provide women the voice they deserve to harness the potential win-win of reduced electoral violence and increased social cohesion.

Source: Voting on Gender Parity — IMF blog, September 17, 2019