Perseveras VAWP Vulnerability 360°
Democracy is stronger and more legitimate when women can participate fully in politics. Yet violence against women in politics (VAWP) exposes women disproportionately to psychological and emotional harm, reputational and media attacks, sexualized and gender-based abuse, conflict escalation, physical security risks, and online and offline harassment. These pressures can lead women to reduce their visibility, self-censor, become inactive, or leave politics altogether. Too often, this violence is addressed only after harm has already occurred. Perseveras VAWP Vulnerability 360° takes a different approach: it treats resilience to political violence as part of political strategy.
A Self-Assessment Tool for Women in Politics
This self-assessment is one component of a broader methodology developed by Perseveras Consulting to help women in politics increase their situational awareness, understand the specific drivers of their vulnerability, and identify where they may be most exposed before a crisis occurs. Your results provide a structured risk profile that can support planning, prevention, and targeted response.
This is a political risk tool, not a legal, medical, or psychological assessment. It is not an assessment of your character, competence, or emotional capacity. Instead, it helps identify aspects of your identity, role, public profile, and political environment that may be leveraged, distorted, or weaponized by opponents, media actors, online networks, or institutional structures—so you can see them more clearly and plan accordingly.
The assessment covers three dimensions
Personal
how elements such as your identity, appearance, family situation, communication style, safety practices, and public visibility may shape your exposure to delegitimization, harassment, or reputational attacks.
Professional-Political
how your role, portfolio, party position, professional history, alliances, access to resources, and decision-making history may affect your vulnerability to targeted pressure or attacks.
Contextual
how the wider political environment in which you operate—including gender norms, media culture, party culture, institutional responses, reporting mechanisms, and impunity—can amplify or contain risk.
When should you complete this assessment?
This assessment is relevant at any stage of your political life, but particularly at moments of transition or increased exposure: when you are considering a more senior role within your party; when you are thinking about running for office or accepting an appointed position; or when you are planning to become more publicly visible or actively engaged. We also recommend completing it periodically—every three months, or whenever your role, context, or political environment changes significantly.
A few things to know before you begin
The assessment covers 37 indicators across the three dimensions and takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. For each indicator, select the response option that most closely reflects your current situation. There are no right or wrong answers.
Some questions may bring up difficult experiences. You may pause or take breaks as needed. If the process causes significant emotional distress, consider seeking support from a trusted person or qualified professional.
Your responses are anonymous. No name, email address, or identifying information is required to complete the assessment. Two optional questions—your political role and country or region—help contextualize the results, but they are voluntary and can be skipped.
If you have questions about the tool or the methodology, contact us at info@perseveras.com.