It is also important for the EMB to undertake an assessment of staff performance and identify needs for professional training and capacity-building, including in relation to gender sensitisation. As part of this process, the performance of such agencies during the election, and their capacity-building needs, should be carefully reviewed. Several COG reports note that women have been discouraged from participating in the electoral process because of the levels of violence perpetuated against them. Research undertaken by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) indicates that political violence against women affects their effective and sustained participation in the electoral process as voters, candidates and party supporters, and as electoral officials (Bardall 2015).