By Mercy Njeri
The internet was promised as a tool for empowerment, but for women and gender-diverse individuals in East Africa particularly in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—it has become a fertile ground for sophisticated, often anonymous, and deeply damaging abuse. KICTANet’s current mapping exercise has provided a sobering look into the prevalence and patterns of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), revealing a crisis that demands urgent policy and legal intervention.
Every day, at least 10 new incidents are tracked and mapped, drawing from social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. These cases are not just isolated incidents; they are systemic attacks that silence voices, destroy livelihoods, and inflict severe psychological trauma.
The digital realm knows no borders, and neither should the response. A case mapped in Nairobi often involves a network of perpetrators spanning Kampala or Dar es Salaam. Regional digital rights advocates must share successful court outcomes and legal strategies to build a consistent legal defense across the region.
Regional partners can utilize standardized mapping tools (such as Mlinzi and the OGBV Tracker), to create comparative reports that pressure multinational technology companies to implement uniform, high-standard content moderation policies for East Africa. Our mapping exercise provides undeniable sufficient and appropriate evidence about these happenings.
Until our legal systems and the social media platforms we use treat TFGBV with the severity it deserves, the internet will remain a hostile space for nearly half the population. It is therefore our focus that this mapping exercise should not just be an end in itself but a means to an end whereby using the findings of the mapped cases, appropriate and corrective measures are put in place to combat TFGBV.
Conclusion
The internet should empower, not endanger. In East Africa, women and gender-diverse individuals face relentless TFGBV, silencing voices and causing real harm. KICTANet’s mapping reveals the scope of this crisis, providing the evidence needed for urgent action. By strengthening laws, sharing legal strategies, and holding tech platforms accountable, we can reclaim the digital space. The battle is real, but with coordinated effort, the internet can become a safe, inclusive space where all people can participate without fear.
Mercy Njeri – Consultant: Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) Monitoring and Reporting