The Importance of Gender-Based Violence in Politics

An Interview with Tracey Raney

Abstract

Gender-based violence in politics (GBV-P) is undoubtedly a serious issue globally, and it remains both under-researched and under-addressed. This interview seeks to shed further light on the issue and contribute to greater awareness by engaging with the work and insights of Professor Tracey Raney, a leading scholar on GBV-P. Drawing from her extensive research, including her 2024 co-edited book Gender-Based Violence in Canadian Politics in the #MeToo Era, the discussion draws attention to this serious threat to democracy. The interview offers readers an opportunity to understand the motive, forms, and impacts of gender-based violence (GBV) in political spaces. It also emphasizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to addressing this issue; rather, effective responses must be context-specific and attentive to the different political levels and lived experiences of those affected. Also in this conversation, Professor Raney discusses the nature and prevalence of GBV in Canadian politics, as well as how intersecting identities—particularly gender, race, and sexual orientation—shape the forms of violence experienced by women and gender-diverse political actors. She also reflects on the role of social media and mainstream media in these harmful gendered narratives, as well as examining the existing policy responses to GBV-P and their gaps. Finally, the interview reveals the resilience and agency of women navigating political spaces despite these challenges, while emphasizing that there is still much work to do in order to fully understand and address GBV-P. Professor Raney calls for collective action and decolonial, intersectional strategies to meaningfully confront this issue. Readers can expect a critical and engaging exploration of GBV-P and the possible pathways toward change.