Research Findings
Zimbabwe Peace Project
It is one way in which powerful male politicians express misogynism towards women
politicians. It breeds and nurtures the notion that politics is not a safe venture for women,
which disincentivises women who would be politicians. Hate speech may make those
women that are already in politics to consider quitting.
In the run up to the August 2023 elections, there was pervasive hate speech, harassment,
and misogynistic and sexist language used against politically active women. Women who
were active in politics either as candidates or as voters were subjected to gendered
digitally mediated and technologically facilitated violence and abuse. Online hate speech
is a form of verbal digital violence that is harmful in itself and simultaneously facilitates
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an ideological preparedness to use physical violence against those constructed as enemies.
The threat of physical violence also causes psychological trauma, insomnia and,
ultimately, mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
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Thokozani Khupe, a presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, was verbally attacked by
opponents who followed her to her car shouting 'sellout' and 'hure' (whore) at her. The
Citizens Coalition for Change Parliamentary candidate in Bulawayo South was described
as ‘too white’ to be a Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe. Journalist Shingai Nyoka was
trolled online for a news article she penned on Citizen Coalition for Change Presidential
candidate, Nelson Chamisa. X (formerly Twitter) users called her a snake and a mercenary
journalist, for an article that criticised Nelson Chamisa’s leadership. In Bulawayo, United
Zimbabwe Alliance Parliamentary candidate for Entumbane/Njube, was described as a
“masvina” meaning “a piece of dirt/filth” who is not worth voting for. She was described
as someone who is not ethnically Ndebele and who is incapable of representing
Entumabe-Njube. Aspiring presidential candidate Linda Masarira was called a witch who
does not want to bathe by her opponents.
7. Saresma, T., Karkulehto, S., & Varis, P. (2021). Gendered Violence Online : Hate Speech as an Intersection of Misogyny and Racism. In M. Husso, S. Karkulehto, T.
Saresma, A. Laitila, J. Eilola, & H. Siltala (Eds.), Violence, Gender and Affect : Interpersonal, Institutional and Ideological Practices (pp. 221-243). Palgrave Macmillan.
Palgrave Studies in Victims and Victimology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56930-3_11
8. Women in Politics in Zimbabwe: How gender norms are fueling online violence, Nehanda Centre for Gender Studies, September 2023
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