Meta-Analysis on Violence Against Women in Politics and Gendered Political Violence: Understanding Dynamics, Impacts, and Remedial Measures

Concerns surrounding violence against women in politics (VAW-P) and gendered political violence (GPV) are on the rise worldwide. Challenging the misconception that VAW-P and GPV are confined to emerging democracies or conflict-ridden nations, an ever-growing body of research reveals their pervasiveness even within established democracies. This article first synthetises qualitative and quantitative research that investigates the distinctive dynamics behind violence perpetrated against women and men in political spheres in its various forms—ranging from physical assaults to psychological and economic coercion—, looking into how these forms of violence are employed to intimidate, silence, and exclude women from political engagement. After systematically reviewing the emerging literature, the meta-analysis focuses on testing claims in quantitative studies that use experiences of VAW-P and GPV as either dependent or independent variables. Using VAW-P and GPV as dependent variable, we ask how different forms of violence are gendered across studies and contexts. Using VAW-P and GPV as independent variables, we study the extent to which experiences of different forms of violence have gendered consequences in terms of political engagement, candidacy, effectiveness in office and psychological distress. This analysis highlights the pressing need for wide-ranging and evidence-based interventions, focusing on legal, policy, and systemic reforms. Its aim is to guide strategies that break down the entrenched obstacles hindering women's engagement in politics, aiming for a fairer and more inclusive political environment.