AI Deepfakes Targeting Women in Africa’s Political Landscape
In early 2025, a disturbing trend emerged during elections in Africa, where researchers uncovered a slew of AI-generated deepfake videos aimed at female journalists and candidates, particularly in Ghana, Senegal, and Namibia. These videos, crafted to discredit and humiliate, are emblematic of a larger issue: technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) that seeks to silence women when their voices are most crucial to public discourse.
Survey Reveals Alarming Trends in Online Harassment
A survey conducted in April highlighted the pervasive nature of online harassment, finding that more than half of women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries had experienced it. Alarmingly, four in ten women reported withdrawing from public life to safeguard themselves. The situation was even bleaker for female journalists, with nearly three-quarters stating they had faced abuse, often linked to disinformation campaigns and deepfake technology.
The Insufficient Safety Measures of Digital Platforms
Unfortunately, most digital platforms treat safety as an afterthought, only addressing issues post-factum and viewing protection as an optional upgrade rather than an essential component. The “Safety by Design” approach seeks to change this narrative by integrating privacy, consent, and fraud detection into the framework of digital applications from the outset, thus prioritizing user safety and rights.
Understanding TFGBV and the Importance of Design for Safety
TFGBV, or technology-facilitated gender-based violence, refers to abuse that is assisted or amplified by digital tools, leading to potential physical, psychological, or economic harm. The spectrum of TFGBV includes image-based abuse, deepfake pornography, and cyberstalking, blurring the lines between online and offline exploitation. According to a UN survey, 58 percent of young women experience online harassment before turning 25, underscoring the urgency for effective prevention measures.
The Role of Civil Society in Combating Online Violence
Civil society organizations often provide the first line of support for those affected by technology-facilitated abuse. Across Africa, feminist tech initiatives, digital rights NGOs, and survivor networks are transforming lived experiences into actionable data and policies. For instance, the Safe Sisters Network in East Africa empowers female journalists by providing training on identifying spyware and securing evidence in the cloud, while the GRIT mobile app allows users to store court details in an encrypted vault, improving the chances of successful prosecution.
Technological Innovations in Online Safety
In Uganda, the feminist civic tech organization Pollicy is using gamification to educate users on the risks of online harassment. Their Digital Safe Tea game simulates real-life scenarios, collecting data anonymously to help local startups identify vulnerabilities in their products. These innovations are part of a broader movement towards integrating safety designs into technology, with tools like the Australian eSafety Commission’s Safety by Design toolkit guiding developers in assessing risks and privacy from the outset.
Social Media Platforms’ Commitments and Government Regulations
Social media companies are also taking steps to enhance user safety, particularly in Africa. TikTok launched a Safety Advisory Committee focused on incorporating input from lawyers, journalists, and digital rights activists to ensure policies are more inclusive of local concerns. Similarly, regional platforms such as Ayoba are implementing proactive filters to block non-consensual intimate photos before they can be shared. In tandem with these efforts, governments like Ghana’s have enacted cyber laws against sharing intimate images without consent, establishing a legal framework that necessitates accountability from both corporations and users.
Building a Safer Online Landscape through Collaboration
The challenge of TFGBV is no longer an afterthought in the digital age; it is a central issue demanding urgent attention. Across Africa, various stakeholders—from developers to civil societies—are collaborating to create a safer online space. As legislations evolve and global frameworks are adopted, the potential to significantly mitigate online gender-based violence is becoming increasingly attainable. A united effort can ensure that digital platforms prioritize user safety and human rights, making technological advancements equitable for all.
