Tech-facilitated gender violence: A growing threat in Rwanda

In the fast-evolving digital age, technology has undoubtedly brought people closer, made communication easier, and unlocked countless opportunities. Yet, it has also opened the door to a darker side—one where people, particularly women and girls, face harassment, abuse, and violation of their privacy in spaces that are supposed to be safe and liberating. ALSO READ: Rwanda moves to combat tech-facilitated GBV For many, the scars left by tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) are invisible, yet the damage is profound. The anonymity of the internet, combined with the vast reach of digital platforms, has made it easier for perpetrators to harm victims without fear of repercussions. In Rwanda and beyond, these online attacks are leaving long-lasting emotional, social, and economic wounds. From revenge pornography to cyberstalking, TFGBV involves a variety of harmful behaviors that target women, often leaving them feeling helpless and vulnerable. The rise in online harassment is alarming, with studies revealing that 85% of women worldwide have either experienced or witnessed digital harassment. In Rwanda, a 2023 study showed that one in three women faced online abuse in 2023. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s multi-faceted approach to combat GBV As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the challenge of keeping up with and combating these abuses has become more difficult. Spearheading efforts to tackle this issue are organisations, government bodies, and corporate players working tirelessly to raise awareness and develop solutions. Despite these efforts, challenges remain such as digital literacy, holding perpetrators accountable, and the lack of adequate legal frameworks to protect victims. For Christian Intwari, the Executive Director of Our Past Initiative, a youth-led organisation, one of the most pressing challenges is the lack of education and awareness about the risks of technology. “We need to focus on educating ourselves and our youth about these issues before they even happen. It’s not enough to react to cases after they occur; we must prevent them through awareness and education,” Intwari said during a panel discussion in Kigali aimed at combating technology-facilitated gender-based violence. He added that the vast majority of the young population is active online, yet many are unaware of the potential dangers lurking in digital spaces. With the rapid growth of technology, the responsibility falls on institutions, organisations, and communities to equip young people with the knowledge to navigate these spaces safely. ALSO READ: Officials root for positive parenting to tackle GBV in families Therese Karugwiza, a Gender and Human Rights Program Specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), stressed the complexities involved in addressing TFGBV, explaining that technology-facilitated gender-based violence is difficult to track because perpetrators can be continents away. The obscurity of the internet makes it easy for them to cause harm while evading accountability. This issue of impunity is one of the biggest barriers to justice, as perpetrators often remain hidden behind screens, making it almost impossible to trace them. This leaves many victims with no legal recourse, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse, she added. Karugwiza also highlighted another challenge, the widespread misunderstanding of what constitutes TFGBV, noting that many people still don’t recognize that online abuse is a form of gender-based violence. Karugwiza explained that unlike physical violence, which is more easily recognized, online harassment is often dismissed as something trivial or just “part of life on the internet.” “The lack of awareness means that many women and girls suffer in silence, not knowing that their experiences are part of a larger, global issue. This is why education and awareness are crucial, not only for identifying harmful behaviors but also for empowering victims to seek help and understand their rights,” she stressed. Aline Umutoni, the Director General of Family Promotion and Child Protection at the Gender Ministry, stressed the need to understand the full scope of this issue. “The mental health consequences are often overlooked, yet they are just as damaging as physical harm,” she said. Umutoni explained that women who are targeted online may face disruptions in their personal and professional lives, leading to a decline in productivity and even job loss. The social stigma surrounding TFGBV can isolate victims, making it harder for them to participate fully in society. As victims’ lives are upended, the broader community also suffers, creating a cycle of harm that is difficult to break. Addressing GBV requires continuous education and awareness, alongside promoting positive masculinity and femininity to challenge harmful social norms, she added. Mapula Bodibe, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Rwanda, noted the company’s commitment to addressing this issue: “Our reach across 18 countries allows us to raise awareness on a large scale. We are partnering with organizations like UNFPA to use our platforms to educate people about the risks and offer tools to recognize harmful content.” She said that MTN has launched initiatives to help protect children from harmful online content and is working towards creating solutions that help identify and mitigate harmful behaviors in digital spaces. However, Bodibe emphasizes that these efforts require strong policy frameworks and regulatory support to be effective. “We need the right legislative frameworks in place to enforce the changes we want to see. This collaboration between tech companies, governments, and women’s rights organizations is essential in creating a comprehensive strategy to combat TFGBV,” Bodibe stated. Jesse Maxella Kiyingi, a media personality at Royal FM, called on the government to increase transparency about both the successes and failures in addressing GBV. Highlighting the need for consistent public conversations on the issue, Kiyingi said that if substantial funds can be allocated to events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix, similar budgets should be dedicated to promoting the well-being of Rwandans. He added that the government should utilize available resources and collaborate with stakeholders to raise awareness and foster a national dialogue on GBV. Feminist Juliette Karitanyi emphasized that the fight against GBV should not be confined to the 16 days of activism but must be a year-round effort to challenge harmful social norms, especially online. She noted the pervasive issue of online harassment and victim-blaming, particularly on platforms like X. Karitanyi condemned the lack of adequate responses to online violence and called for a stronger, more urgent approach, urging that the same level of attention and action given to physical violence should also be applied to online GBV, advocating for better protection for women across all communities.

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Tech-facilitated gender violence: A growing threat in Rwanda