Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS Zimbabwe marks the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), civic and Government leaders in Harare are sounding the alarm on growing technology-facilitated abuse targeting women and girls, while warning that traditional forms of violence remain high.
Zimbabwe joins the global community in commemorating the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed under the theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”
This year’s campaign underscores the urgent imperative to confront the rising tide of technology-facilitated abuse, from online harassment and cyberbullying to digital surveillance, exploitation, and other emerging forms of violence that disproportionately target women and girls.
Spanning November 25 to December 10, the 16 Days of Activism is a clarion call to every sector of society to stand united in fostering safer digital and physical spaces, where the rights, dignity, and security of women and girls are fully protected.
In her remarks at the Harare Metropolitan province commemorations at Town House in the capital, Harare Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rosemary Muronda, urged citizens to treat digital violence with the same gravity as physical abuse.
“Digital violence is real. It causes real fear. It causes real harm,” Cllr Muronda said.
“With the rise of technology, many women and girls are facing new forms of abuse, cyber-bullying, online stalking, digital harassment, sexual exploitation … So many women and girls are now afraid to go online because they are afraid of being victimised, bullied, insulted, attacked and humiliated.”
She appealed for solidarity to make sure that no woman should be beaten, no child should live in fear, and no family should normalise violence.
“Domestic violence and digital violence are connected,” she said.
Echoing her call, Musasa Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Miss Rose Muganyi, stressed that technology, while offering opportunities, has become a doorway to harassment and abuse for too many.
“This message is not only a call, it is a commitment. A commitment to stand together as one voice, one community, one movement, determined to protect the rights, dignity and safety of every woman and girl, both offline and online,” Miss Muganyi said.
She explained how digital violence can follow survivors beyond devices into their homes, workplaces, classrooms and communities, shattering confidence and putting lives at risk.
“Today, we stand in solidarity with every woman and girl who has been threatened, shamed, humiliated or silenced in digital spaces … Together, let us end digital violence against women and girls,” she urged.
From the men’s front, Padare Men’s Forum national director, Mr Walter Vengesayi, added a stark reminder that men should not be involved in GBV.
“Don’t touch your wives’ phones and don’t victimise women online. Also, men should not suffer in silence if they are being abused by their women.
“Come to Padare for help before you commit suicide,” he said. These voices are emerging against a backdrop of alarmingly high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe.
According to the latest data from a 2024 UN-backed assessment, about 44 percent of women over 15 in Zimbabwe have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, significantly above global and regional averages.
