"Kihika was subjected to a campaign of online abuse, accused of abandoning her country for taking maternity leave in the US after a high-risk pregnancy. The criticism escalated to sexist smears and personal attacks, including accusations of her sleeping her way into politics."
"The scrutiny Kihika faced reflected a double standard, as male leaders are rarely criticized for taking time off for personal reasons. Kewopa defended her, emphasizing the unfair treatment women in politics endure."
"Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) encompasses acts committed using digital tools that result in various forms of harm. Millions of women and girls experience TFGBV annually, with research indicating that up to 60% have faced such violence."
Susan Kihika, governor of Nakuru county, faced online abuse after taking maternity leave in the US. Critics accused her of abandoning her country and made sexist attacks, including calls for her removal due to her dual citizenship. Kihika's deputy and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association defended her, noting the double standards in criticism between male and female leaders. The rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) exacerbates the issue, affecting many women and girls globally, often leading to self-censorship or withdrawal from online spaces.
#gender-based-violence #political-scrutiny #online-abuse #women-in-politics #technology-facilitated-violence
Read at www.theguardian.com
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