Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
STAKEHOLDERS must work closely to fight technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), which is being weaponised to control, intimidate and silence women and girls in the country, a Cabinet Minister has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by Mrs Lillian Matsika–Takaendisa, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said while the country’s digital transformation had yielded some positive aspects, it also had opened new frontiers of gender-based violence.
“As Zimbabwe accelerates its digital transformation, we must ensure that women and girls are not left vulnerable to emerging forms of harm,” she said.
“Cyberbullying, image-based abuse, harassment, and surveillance are not simply “online problems,” they are violations of human rights that demand urgent, coordinated, and sustained action.”
She said this at a UN Women event to commemorate the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence under the global theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
In most sectors in Zimbabwe, technology has empowered societies – expanding education, communication and opportunities to enhance livelihoods of women and girls.
But women’s activists expressed concern that the same tools used to connect people were being weaponised to control, intimidate, and silence women and girls.
This was being done through acts of harm, harassment, or abuse committed, assisted, or amplified through digital technologies.
This included sextortion, deepfake pornography, cyberflashing, doxxing (the release of private information online), trolling, cyberbullying, online hate speech, hacking, and surveillance.
“Violence has migrated into digital spaces, becoming the fastest-growing frontier of abuse. That is why this year’s theme UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls is so urgent,” said UN Women Zimbabwe country representative Fatou Aminata Lo..
“It recognises that as Zimbabwe accelerates its digital transformation, we must ensure that women and girls are not left vulnerable to new forms of harm. Cyberbullying, online harassment, surveillance, and image-based abuse are not just “online problems” they are violations of human rights that silence voices, deter participation, and undermine innovation.”
UN Women, she said, stood ready to support Zimbabwe in ensuring that digital spaces become platforms of empowerment and not harm for everyone.
Speaking at the same event, Embassy of Switzerland deputy head of cooperation, Ms Liliane Tarnutzer, reiterated her country’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s fight against online violence against women and girls.
“Switzerland stands here not only as a friend of Zimbabwe, but as a committed development and funding partner. We believe that protecting women and girls from violence, whether offline or online, is fundamental to achieving inclusive, sustainable development,” she said.
“Digital transformation is reshaping economies and societies. Yet, as we accelerate connectivity, we must also confront the reality that violence has migrated into online spaces.
“For Switzerland, supporting Zimbabwe’s efforts to end digital violence is part of a broader commitment to human dignity, equality, and inclusive development. We believe that safe digital spaces are essential for women and girls to thrive as entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators in the 21st century.”
Zimbabwe is running a number of campaigns to commemorate the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence under the global theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
