Urgent Action Needed to Combat Digital Violence Surge in Africa
Digital use is expanding rapidly across Africa, bringing with it a concerning rise in online threats, particularly targeting vulnerable groups. Experts are calling for immediate intervention to address this growing crisis.
The Scale of the Problem
A massive increase in internet users, especially among those under 30, has fueled a surge in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) across the continent. This form of abuse uses digital tools to inflict harm, ranging from psychological distress to physical attacks. According to Ayesha Mago, global advocacy director at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, the online world is amplifying existing inequalities, creating a foundation for an unequal future.
Research indicates that up to 60% of women globally experience TFGBV, with forms including doxing, deepfake abuse, sexual harassment, and sextortion. In Africa, studies show alarming rates; for example, 28% of women in five sub-Saharan countries reported online violence, and this number is expected to rise as internet access expands. Currently, only 38% of Africans are internet users, dropping to 31% among women.
Real-World Consequences
The effects of digital violence are devastating, leading to mental health issues, withdrawal from public life, and even femicide. In Ethiopia, research by the Centre for Information Resilience found that gendered abuse online has become normalized, with women facing misogynistic attacks related to appearance and societal roles. Threats often migrate offline, putting women at risk of physical harm, with at least three women fleeing Ethiopia due to abuse.
In Uganda, 49% of women reported online harassment, while in South Africa, exposure to harmful content correlates with increased likelihood of men perpetrating violence. Women in politics, activists, journalists, and those with public profiles are primary targets. A 2021 report revealed that 46% of female parliamentarians in Africa faced sexist online attacks, with 42% receiving threats of death, rape, or abduction.
Legal and Policy Gaps
Globally, fewer than 40% of countries have laws protecting against cyber harassment, leaving 1.8 billion women and girls without legal protection. In Africa, about 17 countries have cybercrime legislation, but Mago notes that most fail to address the gendered nature of abuse. South Africa's Domestic Violence Amendment Act is a positive example, allowing courts to order removal of abusive content. However, the African Union Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, introduced in 2024, has been criticized as regressive by experts like Sibongile Ndashe.
Challenges and Solutions
Beyond legislation, there is a lack of awareness about rights and poor digital literacy. Mago emphasizes that platforms must prioritize user safety over profit and be accountable for harm. She calls for better enforcement, attention to local languages and cultures, and increased education to combat the normalization of online violence.
As internet access continues to grow in Africa, addressing this issue is critical to ensuring a safer digital environment for all, particularly women and girls.
