Accepted Contribution
Contribution long abstract
This paper examines the intersection of digital tools and women's leadership in the context of peacebuilding and development. We focus on Kenya and compare it with examples from other African countries and the Middle East.
Our research investigates whether digital platforms, often praised for enhancing democracy, actually afford women only a superficial role in politics. We ask if a female leader's increased online presence leads to real influence over peace and development policies, or if it is primarily a show of gender inclusion (Ali et al., 2024).
To understand this, our study uses a feminist political economy approach. This helps us uncover the hidden structures, economic limitations, and institutional impacts that shape how women engage with digital politics (Kasera et al., 2025).
We're specifically scrutinizing who holds power, how decisions are made, and the gender-specific work prevalent in digital political spaces. We also consider how donor and state-driven narratives of inclusion play a role. Further, we examine how various forms of inequality impact women's digital political participation, moving beyond simple success stories to highlight deeper, systemic obstacles.
In conclusion, while digital platforms give women more ways to join in politics, it often does not lead to real change in peace and development. Instead, it often results in "tokenism," where being seen online does not bring real influence or power (Ali et al., 2025; Genon, 2025). This shows the need to look closely at the digital opportunities women have, especially where there are large gaps in digital access and skills.
From tokenism to transformation: Rethinking women’s political leadership for peacebuilding and inclusive development in Africa and Middle East