In Part 1, we examined how legislative proposals focusing solely on “Violence Against Women in Politics” (VAW-P) leave out grassroots organizers and activists. The question then becomes: How do we fix this legislation so it protects all women who put their lives on the line for democracy?
The answer lies in abandoning narrow, sector-specific bills and adopting a comprehensive Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) framework.
Redefining public life and human rights defense
Women in politics often view themselves as human rights defenders—and rightfully so when they champion democratic principles and social justice. The logical step is not to isolate politicians into a separate protected class, but to broaden the scope of protection to include everyone engaged in human rights defense and public life.
A truly inclusive legislative reform must incorporate three core shifts:
1. Expand the Title and Scope
Legislators must move away from penalizing violence against “Women in Politics” and instead enact an Act Defining and Penalizing Gender-Based Violence Against Women Human Rights Defenders and Women in Public Life. This simple shift in framing ensures that protection is rooted in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, covering community leaders, journalists, trade unionists, and political candidates under a single, unified mantle.
2. Target the Real Mechanisms of Violence
Bills designed purely for political candidates focus heavily on campaign dynamics and party nominations. While important, these provisions ignore the tactics used to crush non-state defenders. Comprehensive legislation must explicitly criminalize:
- Red-tagging and State Vilification: Labeling activists or political dissidents as subversives or terrorists without due process.
- Judicial Harassment (SLAPP Suits): The filing of unfounded criminal or civil charges intended to bankrupt, silence, or demoralize defenders.
- Coordinated Digital Misogyny and Doxxing: The targeted release of private information and deepfakes to destroy the credibility of women in public life.
3. Accountability for State and Non-State Actors
Traditional VAW-P bills focus primarily on political rivals or party members. A robust WHRD framework holds both state actors (military, police, local officials) and non-state actors (corporate entities, paramilitaries, private security forces) criminally and administratively liable for targeting women defenders.
Protecting the grassroots protects democracy
When we protect Women Human Rights Defenders, we naturally protect women in politics. A politician advocating for human rights is a defender; an environmental activist fighting for her community’s water supply is a defender.
By expanding Rep. Zamora’s bill to cover WHRDs, lawmakers have an opportunity to move from a legislation of privilege to a legislation of protection. Democracy is not sustained merely by those who hold office, but by those who have the courage to demand justice from outside its walls. It is time our laws reflected that reality. (davaotoday.com)
