COMMENT: Turning the spotlight on digital violence against women, girls

YESTERDAY’S launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑Based Violence (GBV) by President Mnangagwa has turned the spotlight on digital violence against women and girls.

This year’s campaign theme—“Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls” — places the perils of the online world squarely on the national agenda.

In his address to the nation, the President reiterated that, the Government is determined to create an environment that is just and free of GBV, where everyone can enjoy fulfilling lives without fear of violence. The words are reassuring.

What makes this year’s launch noteworthy is the explicit focus on digital violence. While GBV has long been understood in terms of physical and sexual abuse, the rise of smartphones, social media, and cheap data has added a new, insidious dimension.

Online harassment, non‑consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber‑stalking, and gender‑based hate speech now constitute a significant portion of the violence women and girls experience.

By naming this as the central theme, Zimbabwe joins a growing chorus of nations that are recognising that a safe society must be safe both offline and online.

President Mnangagwa’s call to “capitalise on the gains made in combating GBV and harmful practices by strengthening legal, policy and community systems that promote peace and equity” is a reminder that the country has already made strides.

The 2019 Domestic Violence Act, the 2020 amendment to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, and the establishment of the National Gender Commission are milestones that deserve acknowledgment.

Yet, as the President himself noted, there remain “tasks that remain outstanding in pursuit of gender equality.” The gap between law on paper and its implementation on the ground is where many Zimbabwean women still find themselves vulnerable.

One of the most pressing tasks is the harmonisation of legislation with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Existing statutes, drafted before the advent of social media, often struggle to define and prosecute online abuse.

The Cybercrime Act of 2022, for instance, contains provisions that could be leveraged against digital harassers.

Equally important is the role of community systems. In many parts of Zimbabwe, traditional structures still wield considerable influence. While some community leaders have become champions of women’s rights, others uphold patriarchal norms that perpetuate violence. The President’s appeal to “strengthen community systems that promote peace and equity” therefore requires a nuanced approach: empowering progressive elders, training local law enforcement, and creating safe spaces for survivors to report abuse without fear of stigma. Programmes that engage men and boys as allies have shown promise in shifting attitudes, but they need sustained backing.

The High‑Level Political Compact itself is a symbolic and practical instrument. By signing it, the Government commits to allocating resources, reporting progress, and engaging with everyone. The compact’s success will be measured not in signatures but in outcomes. Monitoring mechanisms must be robust, with independent audits and public dashboards that track indicators such as the number of GBV cases reported, prosecution rates, and the prevalence of digital abuse. Transparency will be the antidote to the cynicism that often greets such high‑profile pledges.

Digital violence, however, cannot be tackled by legislation alone. It demands a multi‑stakeholder response that includes tech companies, educators, and the media. Social‑media platforms must be compelled to respond quickly to reports of gender‑based hate speech and non‑consensual image sharing.
Local NGOs have begun to develop digital literacy programmes that teach young people — especially girls — about online safety, consent, and the permanence of digital footprints. Scaling these initiatives could shift the culture from one that blames victims to one that holds perpetrators accountable.

The theme also invites reflection on the intersection of gender and technology in a country where internet penetration is expanding rapidly. With more Zimbabweans gaining access to affordable smartphones, the risk of digital violence grows in tandem with opportunity. This paradox offers a unique window for the Government to embed gender‑responsive design principles into national digital policies.

For example, ensuring that national ID systems, e‑health platforms, and online education portals are built with privacy safeguards can prevent the misuse of personal data that often fuels online harassment.

Critics may argue that focusing on digital violence diverts attention from more “traditional” forms of abuse, such as domestic violence and rape. It is a false dichotomy. The two spheres are not mutually exclusive; they often intersect, with offline power imbalances manifesting online.

A survivor who experiences physical abuse at home may also be subjected to relentless cyber‑stalking, amplifying her trauma. By addressing digital violence, the campaign implicitly acknowledges the continuum of harm and the need for holistic interventions.

The President’s speech also contained a subtle but powerful message: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls” is not a call for women alone to bear the burden of change. It is an invitation to every citizen — regardless of gender — to become a stakeholder in a safer digital commons.

When men speak out against sexist online jokes, when teachers integrate consent education into curricula, when employers adopt zero‑tolerance policies for online harassment, the collective impact multiplies.

As the 16‑day countdown begins, the nation will be watching how the rhetoric translates into action.
President Mnangagwa’s assertion that Zimbabwe is “determined to create an environment that is just and free of gender‑based violence” is both a promise and a challenge.

The country has the legal scaffolding, the community networks, and the youthful energy to make digital safety a reality. What it needs now is the political will to close the gaps, the resources to support survivors, and the collective resolve to hold every actor — state, society, and technology — accountable.

The 16 Days of Activism are just the beginning. If the nation can unite — offline and online — to confront the shadows that lurk in both physical and digital spaces, the campaign may yet become a turning point.