Across Africa, the internet holds enormous potential to empower voices, enable democratic participation, and drive social change. Yet for many women and marginalized groups, digital spaces have become increasingly dangerous. The rise of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV); including online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, deepfake attacks, and targeted disinformation—poses a direct threat to freedom of expression, political participation, mental health, and digital inclusion.
TFGBV is not just a gender issue, it is a governance failure, a cybersecurity risk, and a trust crisis. It thrives in environments where platforms lack accountability, laws are outdated or absent, and survivor-centered systems are underdeveloped. Its impact is not only personal, it shapes public discourse, erodes civic trust, and pushes women out of digital and political spaces.
This session brings TFGBV into the heart of the Internet Governance Forum agenda. It will examine how digital violence manifests across African contexts, why responses remain inadequate, and what is needed to build resilient, inclusive, and rights-respecting digital ecosystems. The session will draw on the expertise of legal actors, digital rights defenders, technologists, policymakers, and those directly impacted by online violence.
Rationale
TFGBV is a growing digital threat across Africa, silencing voices, deepening inequality, and undermining participation in civic and political life. Despite its scale, TFGBV remains overlooked in cybersecurity and internet governance frameworks, with limited legal protections and inadequate platform accountability. Addressing TFGBV is not just about safety, it’s about upholding rights, building digital trust, and ensuring inclusive access. This session brings TFGBV to the forefront of digital governance, calling for coordinated, survivor-centered responses to make Africa’s digital spaces safe and empowering for all.
Together, they will identify strategies to
1. Embed protection against TFGBV in cybersecurity and digital safety frameworks;
2. Advance multistakeholder collaboration for prevention, mitigation, and redress;
3. Design inclusive, survivor-informed solutions that center trust, justice, and dignity.
Session Objectives
1. Highlight the forms, drivers, and impact of TFGBV in African digital ecosystems;
2. Identify gaps in legal, institutional, and platform responses;
3. Showcase survivor-centered, context-aware approaches to digital safety;
4. Encourage multistakeholder actions to address TFGBV in internet governance discussions;
5. Promote alignment with cybersecurity, trust, and digital cooperation frameworks
Expected Outcomes
1. A shared set of recommendations for integrating TFGBV into internet governance and digital safety agendas;
2. Strengthened partnerships between gender rights defenders, digital policymakers, and tech stakeholders;
3. Documentation of best practices and survivor-informed strategies for response and prevention;
4. Increased recognition of TFGBV as a cybersecurity and trust issue, not just a social or gender issue.
