Telecommunication companies are intensifying efforts to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence (GBV), focusing on raising awareness and creating safer online spaces for women and girls.
According to a UN report, "a global study on women working in the technology sector found that 44 per cent of women founders experienced some form of harassment at work in 2023, with 41 per cent reporting sexual harassment.
Mapula Bodibe, CEO of MTN Rwanda, highlighted these challenges during the launch of a campaign titled "My Digital Space Should Be Safe." She stressed the importance of awareness as a crucial step in addressing online harassment.
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"A lot of people don&039;t actually know. They don't know how to identify when they are being bullied or harassed online," Bodibe said. "It’s really about creating a common narrative so that everyone is aware of this issue."
Drawing comparisons to successful national campaigns, Bodibe referenced previous initiatives promoting responsible alcohol consumption.
"Through that campaign, we were able to establish a national-level narrative around the benefits of not drinking. Similar approaches can help tackle technology-facilitated GBV," she explained.
Bodibe stressed MTN Rwanda's commitment to using its extensive communication platforms to spread awareness, particularly targeting young internet users.
"We are ready to communicate with our customers through messaging that creates a common awareness narrative," she said, emphasising the importance of collaboration with organisations and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.
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She also addressed the delicate balance between driving digital inclusion and tackling online abuse. "One of our primary priorities is to drive digital inclusion.
On the other hand, technology-facilitated violence is increasing. This is a contradiction we, as telecom operators, must navigate carefully," Bodibe added.
While acknowledging that addressing GBV isn’t a core competency for telecom companies, Bodibe noted the importance of partnerships with subject matter experts, such as Women’s Rights Organizations, UNFPA, and relevant government ministries.
"We are happy to collaborate with experts who can provide the necessary data and research to guide decisions on enforcing protections against online harassment," she said, emphasising the importance of both strong policy frameworks and enforcement.
Bodibe also welcomed the involvement of regulators. "Once policies are in place, the next step is enforcement. We need to ask ourselves: what do we do with these insights?" she posed.
The role of regulators
Charles Gahungu, General Manager of ICT Regulation at Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), highlighted the critical role of telecom operators and internet service providers (ISPs) in tackling online GBV.
He called for cross-sector collaboration to address the growing threat.
"Telecom operators, ISPs, and other institutions, both private and public, must work together at regional, continental, and international levels," Gahungu said.
He further stressed the importance of proper user identification to prevent misuse.
"We must ensure that the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and user registration comply with existing regulations to prevent fraud and other online abuses."
Additionally, Gahungu emphasized public education and continuous updates to regulations to close any gaps that may be exploited by online perpetrators.
As telecom companies, regulators, and other stakeholders collaborate, a unified approach to tackling technology-facilitated GBV is emerging—a vital step toward safer online spaces for everyone, especially women and girls.