Harare deputy mayor calls for united stand against new forms of abuse against women, girls

Diana Nherera

Deputy Harare Mayor, Councillor Rosemary Muronda, said many women and girls are facing new forms of abuse such as cyber bullying, online stalking, digital harassment, sexual exploitation and image image-based abuse, threats and intimidation.

Speaking at the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence commemorations in Harare, Clr Muronda said so many women and girls are now afraid to go online because they are afraid of being victimised, insulted, attacked and humiliated.

“Digital violence is real. It causes real harm and must be stopped. But even as we confront new forms of violence, we must not forget the violence that continues in our homes and within our families,” she said.

Clr Muronda said physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and economic abuse remains one of the most perceived forms of violence against women and girls.

“No woman should be beaten for speaking up. No family should normalise violence,” she said.