ActionAid Zimbabwe has raised alarm over a surge in online violence targeting women and girls, calling on Government, regulators, and technology companies to strengthen protections as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin.
The annual campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, according to ActionAid Zimbabwe calls attention to the growing dangers women face online and the urgent need for collective action.
ActionAid in a statement said forms of digital violence such as cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, impersonation, extortion, and the non consensual sharing of intimate images have become widespread but remain largely underreported.
The organisation cited the National GBV Strategy, which states that 28 percent of Zimbabwean women have experienced online gender based violence.
“This figure reflects a crisis that cuts across age, geography, income, and political affiliation,” ActionAid Zimbabwe said. “Digital violence silences voices and undermines women’s participation in public life.”
The organisation noted that online abuse worsens inequalities already faced by women and girls. With climate shocks, economic pressures, and humanitarian crises deepening vulnerabilities, ActionAid Zimbabwe said access to safe, reliable, and affordable digital tools has become critical for protection, livelihoods, and health.
“To create a just and inclusive future, every woman and girl must be able to use digital platforms with confidence, dignity, and freedom from harm,” the organisation said.
ActionAid Zimbabwe urged authorities and digital platforms to implement the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act with a stronger gender focus. It said enforcement should include secure reporting mechanisms, survivor centred referral pathways, gender responsive data oversight, and tougher prosecution of offenders.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism, the organisation called for coordinated national action.
Its recommendations include centering women and girls in law and policy making, increasing funding for feminist community programmes that promote digital safety, strengthening legal frameworks, ensuring rapid takedown of harmful content, and holding political actors and platforms accountable for online misogyny, cyberstalking, political abuse, and image based violence.
ActionAid Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of women and girls “across all spaces, physical and digital.” The organisation said government, civil society, technology companies, youth, media, and communities must work together to create safer online spaces.
“Ending digital violence is not optional. It is a national imperative,” the organization said.
