By Kudakwashe Pembere
Women should know the legal remedies available in legal instruments to take action against cyberbullying and online harassment perpetrators.
This comes amidst findings that a lot of women were ignorant of such which has seen them suffer in silence mentally and at times even physically.
A feminist solidarity workshop held in Harare recently sought to come up with recommendations on the effective implementation of laws and policies that protect women from online violence. It was organized by the Women’s Action Group (WAG), graced by guests from Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), Pan African Coalition for Women Living with HIV (PAPWC-Zim), female parliamentarians among other organizations.
WAG executive director Ms Ednah Masiyiwa, the said the online harassment and bullying was an emerging growing and significant concern in Zimbabwe.
WAG executive director Ms Ednah Masiyiwa noted online harassment and bullying was an emerging yet growing concern in Zimbabwe.
We need to educate the very woman on the ground. That if they are discussed about in a WhatsApp group, they can know where to take their cases up. They should be able to identify to say this is bullying. That this is manipulation. This is malice.
“So that they can actually make informed choices. And know that they have a right to dignity. They have a right to go and report. “And the channels that they can use to go and report. And when you also see a woman who has been cyber bullied. Say it could be a woman in the village.
“You are the one who is more empowered and more knowledge able. Hold that woman’s hand and ensure that you take her through “Violence against Women and Girls remains a challenge that continue to affect women in their diversity despite the enactment of laws and policies such as the Constitution, Domestic Violence Act and Cyber and Data Protection Act,” she said.
She added that WHRD, celebrities and female politicians were largely falling prey to this online violence.
“Women Politicians and Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) are more vulnerable to violence during throughout the entire electoral process, including before, during and after elections.
“This violence takes many forms including cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, hate speech shaming as a result of their gen der. WHRDs are often victimised as they show solidarity with women politicians and defend their constitutional rights,” Masiyiwa said.
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe chairperson Muchanyara Mukamuri said while a lot of women were aware of the dangers cyberbullying brings to women, much needs to be done when it comes to the steps to follow.
“Cyberbullying is a significant concern globally, and Zimbabwean women are not exempt from its impact. While awareness varies, many women in Zimbabwe are becoming increasingly aware of cyberbullying’s dangers,” the WCoZ chair said.
She added that women should know steps to take. These include documenting evidence, reporting to platform administrators, blocking, seeking support from trusted friends, relatives or mental health professionals.
Organizations supporting Zimbabwean women against cyberbullying include Zimbabwe republic police, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
Rufaro Mhandu, a legal expert said it was disconcerting that this online violence was perpetuated not only by men but women as well.
“And if it’s sexual, it can result in someone being sexually abused by someone just as a result of online violence. Now, what has been propagating a lot of online violence? Suddenly people have got this thing of wanting more likes and to be known on social media, you know, the popularity and stuff. But we are looking for popularity the wrong way.
“And you see, why am I saying this? Online violence being perpetrated by not just men, it’s also women. And you’ll find that it’s actually happening women to women more than men to women. And it’s very disconcerting. All for likes,” she said.
PAPWC-Zim director Tendai Westerhof said some women were being victimised online for their HIV status.
“So, I just want to applaud WAG for taking this opportunity. We didn’t know that there are these laws that are there to protect us. And as women living with HIV, we want to delve more into this law. To see how our women rights can be protected. Because if a woman discloses that she is HIV positive.
“She also experiences a lot of stigma and discrimination. And sometimes you find that in the media they are so free to write, to say, Jane, a woman who is HIV. To write it just like that,” she said.
