The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) has called out African governments, urging them to take immediate action in implementing protections against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Despite the adoption of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 522 in 2022, progress on safeguarding women in digital spaces remains minimal.
The ACHPR’s Resolution 522 (LXXII) 2022 was meant to provide a framework for addressing digital violence against women. However, three years later, the reality on the ground remains unchanged. Women across Africa continue to face online harassment, cyberstalking, doxing, deepfakes, and other forms of gendered digital violence. This unchecked abuse not only discourages women from participating in online spaces but also deepens the digital gender divide.
CIPESA emphasizes that African governments must go beyond symbolic resolutions and actively enforce laws, implement policies, and collaborate with stakeholders to protect women from online abuse. The lack of urgency in implementing Resolution 522 undermines the rights of women and their ability to engage freely and safely in the digital sphere.
The Need for Action: CIPESA’s Key Recommendations
CIPESA highlights four critical areas where African governments must act decisively:
- Adopt Gender-Sensitive Legal and Policy Frameworks – Governments must enact and enforce laws that explicitly address TFGBV, ensuring that online violence against women is criminalized and that perpetrators are held accountable.
- Invest in Evidence-Based Research – Without reliable data on the scope and impact of TFGBV, governments lack the necessary insight to craft effective policies. CIPESA urges states to conduct comprehensive research to inform targeted interventions.
- Raise Awareness and Build Capacity – Public education campaigns, digital literacy programs, and specialized training for law enforcement and judicial officers are essential to effectively combat online violence against women.
- Strengthen Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration – Governments should work closely with civil society organizations, digital platforms, and media houses to foster safer online spaces for women and ensure swift action against digital violence.