Using Gender and Power Theory to Examine How Uganda Political Parties Contribute to Women Voices Marginalization in Election Reporting: The Case of 2021 Presidential Election Violence

Abstract

The paper examines how political parties in Uganda contribute to the marginalization of women’s voices in election reporting, focusing on the 2021 presidential election. The focus is on how party structures, campaign strategies, and political communication practices shape media coverage, often amplifying or sidelining women’s perspectives. Even though there have been efforts to promote gender inclusion, women’s voices remain underrepresented or narrowly framed, raising concerns about the inclusiveness of democratic participation. The paper is anchored in Gender and Power Theory purposely to explore how entrenched inequalities within political
and media institutions influence whose voices are heard. The theory highlights the impact of male-dominated party systems, unequal access to resources, and centralized control of political messaging on women’s visibility in the media. Uganda’s 2021 election provides a critical case due to its context of violence, repression, media restrictions, and a nationwide internet shutdown, which disrupted information flows. Within this constrained environment, political parties significantly shaped public narratives. The study shows how such conditions can intensify existing gender disparities, offering insights into the intersection of gender, media, and politics in developing democracies.