COMMENT: Turning the spotlight on digital violence against women, girls

YESTERDAY’S launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑Based Violence (GBV) by President Mnangagwa has turned the spotlight on digital violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign theme—“Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls” — places the perils of the online world squarely on the national agenda. In his address to the nation, the President reiterated that, the Government is determined to create an environment that is just and free of GBV, where everyone can enjoy fulfilling lives without fear of violence.

The words are reassuring. Online harassment, non‑consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber‑stalking, and gender‑based hate speech now constitute a significant portion of the violence women and girls experience. The 2019 Domestic Violence Act, the 2020 amendment to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, and the establishment of the National Gender Commission are milestones that deserve acknowledgment.

Yet, as the President himself noted, there remain “tasks that remain outstanding in pursuit of gender equality.” The gap between law on paper and its implementation on the ground is where many Zimbabwean women still find themselves vulnerable. One of the most pressing tasks is the harmonisation of legislation with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The Cybercrime Act of 2022, for instance, contains provisions that could be leveraged against digital harassers.

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The High‑Level Political Compact itself is a symbolic and practical instrument. The compact’s success will be measured not in signatures but in outcomes. Monitoring mechanisms must be robust, with independent audits and public dashboards that track indicators such as the number of GBV cases reported, prosecution rates, and the prevalence of digital abuse.

Transparency will be the antidote to the cynicism that often greets such high‑profile pledges. It demands a multi‑stakeholder response that includes tech companies, educators, and the media. Social‑media platforms must be compelled to respond quickly to reports of gender‑based hate speech and non‑consensual image sharing.Local NGOs have begun to develop digital literacy programmes that teach young people — especially girls — about online safety, consent, and the permanence of digital footprints.

Scaling these initiatives could shift the culture from one that blames victims to one that holds perpetrators accountable. The theme also invites reflection on the intersection of gender and technology in a country where internet penetration is expanding rapidly. With more Zimbabweans gaining access to affordable smartphones, the risk of digital violence grows in tandem with opportunity. This paradox offers a unique window for the Government to embed gender‑responsive design principles into national digital policies.

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