Digital rights and inclusion advocacy group Paradigm Initiative has raised an alarm over the prevalence of technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Africa.
In a statement on Thursday, the organisation revealed that systemic failures, weak accountability, and unsafe online spaces have remained the driving force behind technology-facilitated gender-based violence in countries like Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The digital group noted that its research revealed that young people are the most disadvantaged, with individuals aged 18–34 constituting the vast majority of survivors.
PIN noted that 67 per cent of its respondents confirmed being victims of at least one or multiple forms of digital violence.
“The research uncovers the emotional, social, and systemic dimensions of digital violence that formal reports and statistics often obscure. It also interrogates how survivors navigate reporting systems, access justice, and play an informed role in digital spaces that are frequently hostile or unsafe,” the group stated.
The civil society group noted that most incidents of digital violence occurred on Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). It faulted the way social media platforms have continued to be structurally unsafe for many users, especially women, activists, and advocates.
It said, “Victims’ experiences range from sexual harassment, threats, and misogynistic attacks to severe violations such as stalking, non-consensual image sharing, hacking, sextortion, and identity-based harassment.”
“Personal testimonies reveal profound emotional, psychological, and reputational harm.”
Also, the organisation stated that its findings revealed that formal institutions or agencies, such as the police, employers of labour, and public institutions, have remained largely underutilised due to fear, mistrust, or possible inaction.
The group, however, called on all stakeholders to initiate actions to make online spaces safer for all users, in line with the 2025 Human Rights Day theme, “Human Rights, our everyday essentials.”
It added, “Addressing these systemic gaps is critical to advancing democratic engagement, promoting media pluralism, fostering digital inclusion, and achieving gender equality across Africa.”
