Gendered Electoral Violence: The Case of Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province in Zimbabwe

Electoral violence is a threat to peace, sustainable development and democracy. Elections are highly contested which ultimately engenders violence. Thus, elections across the globe and particularly in Africa are marred with violence. This study seeks to explore the concept of electoral violence in Zimbabwe with particular reference to Hwange District in Matabeleland North. The study uses a gender lens to understand how electoral violence has impacted women. It employs a qualitative research methodology centered on the use of in-depth interviews and observations as primary sources. It also made use of secondary data to enable the completeness of the research through document analysis to compliment the primary sources. Furthermore, the study is underpinned by the Marxian post-colonial state theory which revolves around the concepts of ‘BigMan politics’, ‘personal rule’ and the use of coercion to gain and retain political power. The study argues that women are at the receiving end of political violence which can either be inflicted directly or indirectly. The study seeks to demonstrate that women in Hwange District are falling victim to electoral violence due to their exposure to the patriarchal society they live in. The study found that women in Hwange have suffered rape, torture, family disintegration, arrests, detention, and kidnapping emanating from electoral conflicts. The study therefore recommends that electoral violence be eliminated from the society through strengthening the democratic institutions, introduction of electoral reforms that strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups and the deliberate enactment of laws that protect women from electoral violence.