Toxic Masculinity and Democracy

2020 was characterized by tackling the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although 2021 offers us hope in terms of new Covid-19 vaccines and increased support services, the world found itself confronted by the siege on democracy at the beginning of this year. The events at the United States Capitol in January sent instant shockwaves across the world. It was a final showcase of Trump's legacy of toxic masculinity. However, no deed goes unaccounted for. The world watches as in response, the democratic forces are bouncing back more resilient than ever. It is not only that power is restored to Biden-Harris, but it is also worth observing that European nations are alert to guarding their own democratic processes. At the national level, a historical achievement of women leadership has emerged on the Dutch party-politics scene recently, which is encouraging, and it will have a long-lasting impact not only in Europe, but also beyond.

Gender Concerns International firmly believes that the best way to erode the current toxic masculinity mindset that shapes the electoral candidacy lists, is to unify voices that are demanding gender parity on candidate lists. This method was widely promoted by Tunisian women activists during the GEOM Tunisia 2014 pre-election observation mission.