NAIROBI: The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), collaborating with the Policy Organisation, has raised concerns over the escalating online abuse faced by women on digital platforms. They are advocating for measures to ensure safer digital space usage, especially for women, who frequently encounter violence, exclusion, and gender inequality online.
According to Kenya News Agency, AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori emphasized that while the internet provides immense opportunities for women, particularly in media and public spaces, it also serves as a breeding ground for abuse and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Mbori spoke during a training session on the future of work, which aimed to empower women for a digitally resilient future.
Technology-facilitated GBV involves acts of Gender-Based Violence that are either partially or entirely perpetrated using information and communication technologies (ICTs). Common forms of such abuse include trolling, doxing, body shaming, abusive comments, revenge porn, hacking, impersonation, sextortion, deep fakes, digital domestic abuse, and online recruitment for exploitation. These acts are often motivated by the target’s sexual or gender identity or underlying gender norms.
Mbori highlighted that this form of violence significantly hampers women’s participation in public discourse, often silencing them and infringing on their right to express themselves freely online. She pointed out that the internet has revolutionized societal interactions, yet technology-facilitated violence against women remains a pressing issue that demands more attention and strategic responses.
The Executive Director also shared findings from an AMWIK research study on Technology-Facilitated GBV, which revealed that 60% of respondents had experienced some form of online harassment and abuse. The most common types of abuse included receiving unsolicited intimate images (29.17%), hate speech (25%), harassing private messages (22.22%), and cyberbullying and cyberstalking (20.8% each).
Mbori emphasized the urgent need to address these issues, noting that the report highlights the growing threat of Technology-Facilitated GBV against women in public life, including human rights defenders, community leaders, and professionals in media and civil society. She stressed the importance of implementing safety measures to protect women in public roles from such abuse.
She called for the creation of a digitally resilient community of African women who support a feminist internet that is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Mbori recommended digital safety measures such as using password managers, two-factor authentication, and being cautious with online interactions to protect women’s online identities.
Mbori also noted the connection between online violence and physical harm, such as femicide, stating that digital abuse often translates into real-world consequences, causing emotional distress and reputational damage. She urged victims of abuse to seek support and utilize available reporting mechanisms, including police assistance and organizations like AMWIK that advocate for women’s rights and safety.
Community mobiliser and political leader Cathy Irungu echoed these concerns, particularly as the country approaches an election period when Technology-Facilitated GBV against women politicians typically surges. Irungu, herself a victim of online abuse, stressed the importance of a collective approach to combating Technology-Facilitated GBV. She called on governments, civil societies, and political leaders to collaborate in developing stronger legal frameworks, improved reporting mechanisms, and enhanced psychosocial support for victims.
