16 Days of Activism: Strategic Moves to Combat Digital Gender-Based Violence in Africa

Five bold Moves to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls in africa

As Africa’s digital change accelerates, a critical challenge emerges: ensuring online spaces are safe and empowering for all, particularly women and girls. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign,running from November 25th to December 10th,focuses this year on tackling the rising tide of digital violence. Across sub-Saharan Africa, a staggering 34% of young people aged 18-24 experience online bullying, and 28% of women report experiencing online violence – figures that demonstrate this isn’t an abstract problem, but a important barrier to equality and opportunity.

The African development Bank outlines five key strategies to unlock Africa’s digital promise while protecting its female population:

1.enact thorough, Gender-Responsive Cyber Laws: Many african nations lack clear legal definitions and criminalization of digital gender-based violence. Strengthening legislation,improving enforcement,and fostering cross-border cooperation are crucial. Support from development partners like the African Development Bank is available for legal reforms.

2. embed Online Safety into Digital and National Development Strategies: Online safety, especially for women, is often overlooked in ICT strategies. Rwanda’s National Cyber Security Policy provides a model for integration. Governments must prioritize “safety by design,” fund digital rights education, and incorporate digital safety into school curricula.

3. Hold Tech Platforms Accountable: Tech platforms operating in Africa frequently enough provide inadequate content moderation, limited grievance mechanisms, and insufficient protection for women, despite profiting from African users. A regional framework mirroring standards like South Africa’s Film and Publication Board Amendment Act is needed to enforce content regulation and establish real-time redress systems.

4. Invest in Survivor-Led Innovation and Gender-sensitive Digital Solutions: African women are developing innovative tech-enabled solutions to address digital safety. Organizations like Pollicy in Uganda and the Center for Data Technology and Development in Nigeria are leading the way. Funding initiatives, such as the African Development Bank’s project in Côte d’Ivoire empowering women through digital technology, are vital to amplify these efforts.

5. Prioritize Digital Literacy and awareness: Equipping women and girls with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely is paramount. This includes understanding online risks, knowing how to report abuse, and utilizing privacy settings effectively.

Ending digital gender-based violence is not simply a matter of protecting individuals; it’s central to achieving inclusive growth, upholding human dignity, and realizing the full potential of Africa’s digital future. by taking these bold steps, we can build online spaces where women and girls can thrive, participate fully in the digital economy, and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous Africa.

How can governments in Africa leverage existing legal frameworks, or develop new ones, to effectively address image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) while safeguarding freedom of expression?

Understanding the Scope of Digital GBV in Africa

Digital Gender-Based Violence (DGBV) is a rapidly escalating issue across Africa, fueled by increased internet penetration and mobile technology access. Unlike customary forms of gender-based violence, DGBV leverages digital platforms – social media, messaging apps, and online spaces – to harass, threaten, and control individuals, disproportionately affecting women and girls. this includes online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based sexual abuse (revenge porn), doxxing, and online threats of physical violence.

Key statistics highlight the urgency:

* A 2022 UN Women report indicated a meaningful rise in online violence against women in Africa, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Research by the Pollicy association in Uganda revealed that 60% of women experienced some form of online harassment.

* Limited reporting mechanisms and legal frameworks exacerbate the problem, leaving many survivors wiht little recourse.

Key Areas of Digital GBV in Africa

Several specific forms of DGBV are particularly prevalent:

* Cyberstalking & Online Harassment: Constant monitoring, unwanted contact, and abusive messages.

* Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA): Non-consensual sharing of intimate images or videos, often referred to as “revenge porn.” This is a severe violation of privacy and can have devastating psychological consequences.

* Online Threats & Intimidation: Using digital platforms to threaten physical harm or emotional distress.

* Doxing: Publicly revealing someoneS personal data (address, phone number, workplace) online with malicious intent.

* Digital Impersonation: Creating fake profiles to harass or defame someone.

* Online Economic Abuse: Using digital means to control a person’s access to financial resources.

Strategic Interventions: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach

Combating DGBV requires a coordinated effort involving governments, tech companies, civil society organizations, and individuals. Here are strategic moves categorized by stakeholder:

1. Governmental & Legal Frameworks

* Enact Thorough Legislation: Many African nations lack specific laws addressing DGBV. Legislation should criminalize online harassment, IBSA, cyberstalking, and other forms of digital abuse. Laws must align with international human rights standards.

* Strengthen Law Enforcement Capacity: police and judicial systems need training to effectively investigate and prosecute DGBV cases. This includes understanding digital evidence and the nuances of online abuse.

* National Action Plans: Develop and implement national action plans specifically focused on preventing and responding to DGBV.

* Data Collection & Research: Invest in research to understand the prevalence, patterns, and impact of DGBV in specific contexts. This data is crucial for informed policymaking.

2. Tech Company Responsibilities

* Robust Reporting Mechanisms: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, and TikTok must provide easy-to-use and responsive reporting mechanisms for DGBV.

* Content Moderation: Invest in effective content moderation systems, including AI-powered tools and human moderators, to quickly remove abusive content.

* Accountability & Openness: Be obvious about content moderation policies and enforcement actions.Hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

* Privacy Enhancements: Offer users greater control over their privacy settings, including options to block, mute, and report abusive users.

* Safety by Design: Incorporate safety features into platform design to prevent DGBV, such as default privacy settings and tools to control who can interact with users.

3. civil Society & Advocacy Organizations

* Awareness Campaigns: Raise awareness about DGBV and its impact through public education campaigns.

* Survivor Support Services: Provide comprehensive support services to survivors, including legal assistance, counseling, and safe housing.

* Digital Literacy Training: Empower women and girls with digital literacy skills to navigate online spaces safely and report abuse.

* Advocacy & Lobbying: Advocate for stronger laws and policies to combat DGBV.

* Collaboration & Networking: foster collaboration among different organizations working on DGBV.

4. Individual Actions & Empowerment

* Report Abuse: Report instances of DGBV to the relevant platforms and authorities.

* Support Survivors: Offer support and solidarity to survivors of DGBV.

* Promote Responsible Online Behavior: Be mindful of your own online behavior and avoid engaging in or tolerating abusive content.

* Digital Self-Defense: Learn about digital security tools and techniques to protect yourself online.

* Bystander Intervention: Speak out against online abuse and support victims.

Case Study: Kenya’s Digital Rights Advocacy

Kenya has emerged as a regional leader in digital rights advocacy. Organizations like Pollicy have conducted groundbreaking research on online gender-based violence, informing policy debates and raising awareness. Their work has highlighted the need for stronger legal frameworks and improved reporting mechanisms. The ongoing legal challenges surrounding digital surveillance and data protection also impact the fight against DGBV, as weak data privacy laws can exacerbate the risk of online harassment and abuse.

Benefits of Addressing Digital GBV

Effectively addressing DGBV