Online Reporter
Patience Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN), in collaboration with Pada Platform and Youths for Innovation Trust, recently held a session titled “Feminist Tech Brown Bag” to address the increasing threats faced by women in digital spaces.
The event brought together survivors, activists, and feminist leaders to share their experiences and explore strategies centred on feminist care, healing, and digital resilience. It provided a safe and empowering space for women affected by technology-facilitated gender-based violence to speak out and co-create practical solutions for their online safety.
Participants acknowledged that while the internet has opened up valuable opportunities for women to learn, connect, and advocate, it has also exposed them to serious risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, stalking, identity theft, and gender-based violence. These threats, they warned, continue to silence women’s voices, leaving behind fear, trauma, and a tendency towards self-censorship.
ZWRCN Executive Director Ms Thokozile Ruzvidzo, speaking at the event, emphasised the urgent need to build resilience and safer digital environments.
“Technology should empower women, not harm them. We must develop collective strategies that ensure women can express themselves without fear of intimidation or harassment. For instance, too many women are abused online simply for how they dress or choose to express themselves,” she said.
Ms Ruzvidzo further stressed that women should not be punished for exercising their freedom of expression.
Other contributors echoed the call for solidarity, highlighting the importance of women supporting one another in online spaces.
“We shouldn’t be our own enemies. We must be each other’s shoulders to lean on. I have noticed much of the hate speech on the internet comes from women directed at other women.
“We must stop being the reason why others fall victim to technology-facilitated gender-based violence,” said one participant.
The session also offered a nurturing environment for women to share coping mechanisms rooted in feminist care and healing.
These included enhanced digital security practices, self-care routines, spending time with loved ones, emotional regulation, and engaging in physical activities.
In closing, Ms Ruzvidzo urged women to stand together, report cases of online abuse, and continue advocating for inclusive digital policies.
“We must build collective strategies that allow women to express themselves without fear of intimidation or harassment,” she reiterated.
