ON the commemoration of the 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) implores government, public and private entities, and individuals to take urgent and decisive measures to combat online violence against women and girls, and to ensure that they are able to live up to their full potential.
Since 1991, the United Nations (UN) has designated the period from 25 November to 10 December for the international commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
ZLHR stands in solidarity with all victims and survivors of GBV in Zimbabwe and across the world who continue to face harassment, abuse, and harm in the digital space and offline. We acknowledge their courage, resilience, and strength, and reaffirm that women and girls deserve to be protected, valued, and safe.
In 2025, the 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign is being commemorated under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”. The theme underscores the growing use of technology to harass and abuse women and girls in the digital space, and the persistence of digital violence as a serious human rights violation.
Access to the internet and technology is fundamental, with digital tools having the potential to empower women and girls by providing access to safe and reliable information. However, for many women and girls, the digital world has become a hostile environment as technology-facilitated abuse and harassment intensifies, exposing the dangers of the misuse of digital platforms and technology.
Despite progress in global commitments and the adoption of progressive laws and policies, the misuse of rapidly evolving digital technologies has amplified violence against women and girls. Digital abuse occurs across all settings, from homes, communities, schools, and workplaces, with perpetrators often exploiting anonymity to act with impunity. Regrettably, digital forms of violence frequently extend beyond the screen, escalating into physical harm and leaving lasting social, economic, and psychological scars to women and girls.
The consequences inevitably silence women and girls’ voices in public life, and deter their full participation in leadership and decision-making, and further weaken democratic, economic, social and political processes. Trust in information systems is also eroded, fuelling hate speech and an anti-rights backlash.
In Zimbabwe, as in many parts of the world, women and girls continue to grapple not only with online violence but also with restricted access to the internet and technology. Internet connectivity and digital devices remain prohibitively expensive and are often treated as luxuries rather than necessities. This digital exclusion deepens existing inequalities and deprives women and girls of vital opportunities in life.
Online violence remains a significant threat to the enjoyment of human rights as it infringes on the right to live free from violence, the right to privacy, freedom of expression and the right to dignity, among other fundamental freedoms.
To end digital and offline violence against women and girls, ZLHR calls upon government and other stakeholders, including individuals to;
- Create safe digital spaces for women and girls, and provide prompt, accessible services for victims and survivors, including offering legal aid, psycho-social support and shelters;
- End impunity by adopting and enforcing stronger laws to prevent, criminalise, and punish technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, in line with the ACHPR Resolution on the Protection of Women from Digital Violence in Africa (Res. 522 (LXXII) 2022).
- Ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls to enhance protection and support services for women and girls experiencing violence, in accordance with the African Commission’s broader Concluding Observations on Zimbabwe.
- Ensure that technology empowers rather than endangers women and girls, and promote digital literacy, particularly for those with limited access.
- Educate internet and social media users on the harmful impacts and consequences of online abuse;
- Heed the UN Human Rights Committee’s recommendation to strengthen reporting mechanisms for violence against women and girls and ensure all women have access to information on their rights, available protections and remedies.
- Avail adequate human and financial resources to government departments such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Victim Friendly Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Social Services Department to strengthen GBV response mechanisms;
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Kodzero/Amalungelo House
No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
Email: info@zlhr.org
www.zlhr.org.zw
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