Urgent Call to Action Against Digital Violence in Africa
African activists and lawyers are increasingly urging immediate measures to safeguard women, girls, and boys as digital violence surges across the continent. Experts attribute this alarming trend to the rapid rise in internet users and the youth demographic, particularly those under 30, providing new avenues for gender-based online violence. This trend not only enables perpetrators to exert control over women and girls but also affects boys’ perceptions as well.
Aisha Mago, Global Advocacy Director at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, highlighted the troubling link between offline and online environments. She noted that while the real world remains unsafe and inequitable, the same problems are pervasive in digital spaces. “Foundations are being laid for a highly unequal future,” she remarked, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures.
Understanding Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
As technology permeates everyday life, the channels through which gender-based violence is perpetrated are becoming increasingly diverse. The United Nations defines technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) as acts conducted using digital communication tools that result in various forms of harm. This phenomenon can severely impact women and girls, often leading to self-censorship and withdrawal from digital interactions altogether.
Research indicates that approximately 60% of women globally experience some form of TFGBV each year. It manifests in various forms, such as doxxing, which involves revealing personal information online, and the exploitation of deepfakes that can tarnish reputations. Additionally, sexual harassment and intimidation are prevalent aspects of this troubling trend.
TFGBV not only affects private lives but permeates public spaces, including homes, workplaces, and educational institutions. It can escalate from online to offline environments, contributing to extreme violence, including murder. Young women and girls are particularly vulnerable, along with marginalized groups such as women with disabilities, women of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The lack of comprehensive data and effective policies addressing TFGBV has prompted several international organizations to collaborate with governments and tech companies to tackle this pressing issue.
Mago emphasized the significance of internet accessibility in Africa, noting that over 70% of the sub-Saharan population is under 30. Young people face elevated risks of online violence, disproportionately shaping their use of technology. The ramifications of digital violence on women and girls are severe, resulting in mental health issues, withdrawal from public life, and heightened risks for LGBTQI+ individuals in countries where homosexuality is criminalized.
Despite limited pan-African studies, a review across five sub-Saharan nations revealed that 28% of women experienced online violence, with this statistic expected to rise alongside increased internet access. Current figures show that only 38% of the continent uses the internet, with the percentage for women falling to 31%.
National surveys and anecdotal evidence paint a grim picture of pervasive online violence, revealing toxic environments with significant real-life repercussions. For instance, a 2021 national survey in Uganda found that nearly half of the women surveyed reported online harassment. Research from South Africa indicates that exposure to harmful content can increase the likelihood of violent behavior in men and amplify misogynistic views.
Public figures, especially women in politics, are prime targets for this type of abuse. A study involving 137 female parliamentarians from 50 African nations revealed that 46% had faced online sexist attacks, while 42% reported receiving threats of violence via social media. Reports from Kenya detail the use of derogatory messaging to undermine women’s credibility in politics, contributing to an environment of fear and intimidation.
In Tunisia, a study examining political discourse found that over 70% of online content involving women included violent or abusive language, often targeting their appearance and morality. Such harassment showcases the dangerous intersection of gender and politics, particularly for women of color who face compounded scrutiny and discrimination.
Globally, almost two in five women have experienced some form of technology-induced violence, with 85% encountering online abuse. Alarmingly, fewer than 40% of nations have laws to protect women against cyber harassment, leaving a staggering 1.8 billion women and girls without legal safeguards.
Mago pointed out that around 17 African countries have begun to implement cybercrime legislation. The Domestic Violence Amendment Act in South Africa stands as a notable example, allowing courts to mandate the removal of abusive content online. However, she argues that many laws fail to address the gender-specific nature of these abuses adequately.
While the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, introduced in 2024, aims to include provisions for digital violence, critics like Sibongile Ndashe from the Africa Strategic Litigation Initiative deem it regressive. They argue that the treaty lacks clear definitions and does not establish the necessary obligations for states to combat TFGBV effectively.
The urgent need for legal reforms is coupled with a demand for increased awareness of digital rights. Mago emphasized that many individuals are unaware of the laws that protect them or the behaviors that are prohibited online. Furthermore, digital literacy remains low, leading many to underestimate the severity of online violence.
The responsibility falls on technology platforms as well. Mago urged that user safety should take precedence over profits, calling for better measures to mitigate the harm caused by online abuse.
