Title: Online Attacks Targeting African Female Politicians: Battling Gender Inequality in Politics
In a recent incident that shed light on the challenges faced by female politicians in Africa, Judy Kengo, a newly appointed member of the Kwale County Assembly in southeastern Kenya, found herself at the center of a storm. A doctored photo depicting her supposedly kissing another woman surfaced on social media platforms, sparking a negative public reaction.
Critics of Kengo seized the opportunity to question her suitability as a role model for young girls. This is just one example of the disinformation campaigns frequently used to dissuade women from entering politics and undermine their credibility with voters, according to experts.
Judy Kengo, who refused to succumb to intimidation, has formed a team dedicated to countering these smear campaigns on social media. As a female politician, she acknowledges the challenging nature of her chosen field and the need to adopt a strong stance. Kengo highlights the gender bias that exists in politics, where women are often labelled as aggressive or loudmouthed when they assert themselves, unlike their male counterparts.
The phenomenon of sexualized attacks on female politicians intensifies during election seasons, deliberately targeting their qualifications and suitability for public office. This extremist rhetoric, as highlighted by Kristina Wilfore, co-founder of the NGO #ShePersisted, was found to flourish on social media platforms during Kenya’s 2022 general elections. Even when false information is debunked, the damage remains, perpetuating the notion that women don’t belong in certain public spaces.
The struggle for gender equality in politics is apparent across the African continent, as illustrated by a 2021 study conducted by the pan-African project Women in Political Participation. The study revealed that women occupy a mere 24% of the 12,100 parliamentary positions. In Kenya, where the constitution stipulates that at least one-third of National Assembly seats should be held by women, this quota has never been achieved.
The climate of fear perpetuated by such attacks often dissuades women from entering politics altogether or leaves them reluctant to leave any digital footprint. Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, a Kenyan political analyst, confirms this trend, stating that many women avoid political careers due to the challenges they face.
The online attacks against female politicians in Africa have taken disturbing forms, including the circulation of manipulated images and videos with sexual connotations. Diane Rwigara, an entrepreneur and opponent in Rwanda, fell victim to this tactic when doctored nude photos were shared online shortly after she announced her candidacy for the 2017 presidential elections. Rwigara described these images as part of a smear campaign aimed at preventing her from challenging President Paul Kagame.
Millicent Omanga, a former Kenyan senator, faced a similar onslaught when explicit videos purportedly showing her engaged in sexual activities were shared on social media. The viral spread of such content has paved the way for artificial intelligence-powered tools that can increasingly generate false accusations with sexual undertones.
Experts warn that the rise of artificial intelligence, combined with social media platforms’ reluctance to invest in robust security measures, poses a significant threat. Despite the removal of certain apps like DeepNude, which allowed virtual undressing of women, similar tools continue to exist, often on encrypted messaging platforms.
Responsible social network advocates like Leah Kimathi argue that social media platforms bear the responsibility to prevent the misuse of their platforms for spreading harmful content. African countries remain particularly vulnerable to these excesses, as the business models and algorithms of these platforms prioritize profit over security and safety.
The battle for gender equality in African politics remains an ongoing struggle. Female politicians like Judy Kengo and Diane Rwigara refuse to be silenced by online attacks and disinformation campaigns. Organizations such as #ShePersisted and the Women in Political Participation project continue to fight against sexist misinformation and abuse online.
It is imperative to create an inclusive and safe political space where women can participate without fear of sexualized attacks aimed at undermining their qualifications. Only then can African countries truly achieve equal representation and ensure that talented women do not shy away from making a positive impact on society.
