Impact of COVID-19 on women’s political, electoral and governance participation in Africa and the Caribbean

• COVID-19 Pandemic, Cyberbullying and Political Violence Against Women

Thursday 3 December 2020, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM GMT

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This webinar series is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat effort at fostering virtual dialogues on the gendered and shadow impact of COVID-19 on women, through its Inclusive Dialogue and Women’s Political Participation Project.

During these sessions, Commonwealth governments, the Secretariat, partner institutions and experts will join a dialogue on how political, electoral and governance stakeholders in Africa and the Caribbean are addressing the impact of the pandemic on women - as well as reflect on opportunities for positive change.

COVID-19 is already threatening democratic governance, elections and transitions in Commonwealth member countries, and there are concerns around the longer-term impacts on politics, societies, and economies. 

But as public space closes, both literally and politically, the pandemic is turning back the clock on gender equality and women’s political empowerment.

While women have been engaged on the frontline of healthcare delivery, they remain underrepresented in the political decision-making processes influencing pandemic management.

Extended quarantines have also increased rates of domestic violence, which has been further intensified by anxiety around job losses. Job security has become especially risky for women whose usual childcare services have been suspended.

There are further concerns that post-pandemic political alignment and realignment may edge women out of inclusive, transparent, and fair electoral processes.

Women in politics who have taken to the digital space to connect with their constituents amidst the pandemic, have also faced cyberbullying.

But COVID-19 has also revealed many opportunities to identify women who are at the forefront of building resilience in their communities and whose entry to formal leadership positions could be encouraged and fostered.

The inclusive and effective participation of pandemic response and post-pandemic policy, governance and electoral environments, could set Africa and the Caribbean up for a more equitable and healthier future.

Join our webinars to learn more about how inclusive dialogue and women’s political participation can amplify voices, build resilience and accelerate transformational leadership. Please register using the links below.

Upcoming webinars

• COVID-19 Pandemic, Cyberbullying and Political Violence Against Women

Thursday 3 December 2020, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM GMT

In commemoration of the International Days of Activism on Gender-Based Violence, this webinar provides an opportunity for further Commonwealth conversation for renewed urgency towards bolstering global action to end violence against women and girls through advocacy, policy development, legislation and data-driven decisions. During this webinar, Commonwealth citizens, experts, and panellists will reflect on the nature of cyberbullying and violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reflect on opportunities for positive change through its Inclusive Dialogue and Women’s Political Participation Project.

Opening remarks

Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary General.

Prof Luis Franceschi, Senior Director, Governance and Peace Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat.

Speakers

Dr Dubravka Šimonović, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women

Hon. Marlene Malahoo-Forte, Attorney General, Jamaica

Hon. Sylvia Rwabwogo, Ugandan Parliamentarian

Prof Uzoma Okoye, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Ms Seyi Akiwowo, Founder and Executive Director of Glitch

Ms Emilar Gandhi, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Content Policy Team, Facebook.

Mr Senel Wanniarachchi, Co-Founder, Hashtag Generation, Sri Lanka

Past webinars

• Dialogue and Peacebuilding in Pandemic: Examining Trends and Dynamics

Friday 13 November 2020, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM GMT

Moderator

Dr Tres-Ann Kremer, Head of Good Offices for Peace and Caribbean, Commonwealth Secretariat

Keynote Speaker

HE Linda Scott, High Commissioner, High Commission of the Republic of Namibia

Panelists

Dr Nathaniel Dominic Danjibo, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Mr George Amoh, Executive Secretary, National Peace Council, Ghana

Ms Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls, Technical Adviser, Shifting the Power Coalition, Fiji

Ms Dishani Jayaweera, Co-founder and Executive Director, Centre for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation, Sri Lanka

Mr Ollen Mwalubunbju, Executive Director, National Initiative for Civic Education

Damian Hutchinson, Executive Director, Peace Management Initiative, Jamaica

• Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Political and Electoral Participation

Moderator

Lady Avril Anande Trotman-Joseph, Board President, Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership and Former Solicitor General, Grenada

Panelists

• Hon Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Housing & Urban Development, Trinidad and Tobago
• Senator Hon Natalie Campbell-Rodriques, Parliament of Jamaica
• Ms Tonni Brodber, UN Women Deputy Representative for the Caribbean
• Dr Fredline M'Cormack-Hale, Associate Professor, Seton Hall University, United States
• Mr Peter Yelesani, Chief Gender and Development Officer, Malawi Ministry of Gender