shloboe boe
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Zimpapers Writer
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating prevalence of online violence targeting women and girls across the nation.
This worrying trend affects individuals from all walks of life, including prominent public figures, young women, professionals, students, activists, and ordinary community members.
The gravity of this issue demands immediate attention, particularly as the nation observes the annual global campaign.
In a statement released to mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, the Commission highlighted the campaign’s theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”
This theme serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent necessity to confront the rising threat of abuse perpetuated through digital channels.
The forms of violence catalogued by the Commission are diverse and malicious, encompassing cyber-harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images (often termed “revenge pornography”), misogynistic trolling, impersonation, cyber-stalking, body-shaming, extortion, and sophisticated, co-ordinated digital attacks.
The Commission stressed that the digital attacks are not isolated incidents but forms of violence that increasingly mirror and intensify the offline experiences of women and girls.
“The Commission takes these violations very seriously, as they not only infringe on individual rights and dignity but also silence women’s voices, restrict their meaningful participation in public life, and perpetuate harmful gender inequalities,” read the statement, explaining that the impact is significant, as online abuse can force women out of public discourse and professional spaces, undermining democratic participation and equality.
Crucially, the Commission reiterated that constitutional protections apply equally in both the offline and online spheres.
The country’s Constitution guarantees every person’s fundamental rights, including inherent dignity (Section 51), personal security (Section 52), equality (Section 56), freedom of expression (Section 61), and the collective right of women to be protected from all forms of violence (Section 80), asserting that digital violence constitutes a direct violation of these entrenched constitutional rights.
Furthermore, the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act provides a vital legal framework to address these offences, as this legislation specifically criminalises acts such as cyberbullying, cyber-harassment, unlawful data collection, revenge pornography, impersonation, and digital threats, offering significant legal mechanisms designed to safeguard women and girls within digital environments.
As the 16 Days of Activism campaign progresses, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission issued a strong call for strengthened collective action to cultivate safer online spaces for all.
Key institutions were specifically urged to take decisive steps: the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) must enhance its cybercrime investigation capacities, improve multi-stakeholder coordination, and accelerate the development of specialised digital evidence systems.
Concurrently, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) and internet service providers are called upon to adopt robust reporting mechanisms and ensure platforms implement responsive safeguards against digital abuse.
Beyond law enforcement and regulatory bodies, the Commission demanded that Government ministries and public institutions must ensure online safety is thoroughly mainstreamed into their gender and ICT policies.
Education also plays a critical role, as the Commission advised that schools and universities should intensify digital literacy and safety education for young people.
The Commission also encouraged civil society organisations to scale up awareness, survivor support, and community outreach, while media houses and content creators were called upon to promote ethical and gender-sensitive online engagement.
Ultimately, the Commission placed a responsibility on every citizen, urging them to use digital platforms responsibly and be fully aware of the laws governing online conduct.
“Online spaces must never be used as tools of intimidation, character assassination, exploitation, or harm,” the Commission declared.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, the Commission concluded that ending digital violence is not only possible but a necessary step toward achieving a just, inclusive, and gender-equal society in Zimbabwe, ensuring that technology serves to empower rather than to harm.
Online Reporter