Digital Surge: Women Face Rising Online Violence

Urgent Policy Action Needed to Combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Tanzania

Gender experts are sounding the alarm, calling for immediate and decisive policy interventions to address the escalating threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in Tanzania. As the nation experiences a rapid surge in digital access, women and girls are increasingly finding themselves exposed to novel forms of online abuse, necessitating a robust and comprehensive response.

At a recent national symposium, themed “Safer Digital Space for All,” digital expert Mr. Clarence Kipoboto of C-Sem highlighted that while Tanzania has made commendable strides in regulating online content and digital financial systems, specific protections against gender-based violence in the digital realm remain critically underdeveloped. “There are clear efforts to regulate online spaces, but policies specifically addressing technology-facilitated GBV are not yet fully integrated,” Mr. Kipoboto stated. He further elaborated on the emerging threats, which include sexual exploitation, cyberstalking, the insidious spread of deepfakes, and a growing array of other technology-driven violations.

The scale of Tanzania’s digital transformation is undeniable. Figures from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority reveal over 106 million mobile subscriptions and an internet penetration rate exceeding 85 percent. This widespread connectivity, while a testament to progress, has unfortunately also broadened the avenues for online harassment, the non-consensual circulation of intimate images, and the dissemination of manipulated content targeting women.

Ms. Melissa Barrett, the Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Tanzania, emphasized the pivotal juncture at which the country finds itself. “As more women and girls come online, they are increasingly targeted by a borderless form of harm,” she noted. Ms. Barrett underscored the gravity of the issue, asserting, “Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is not a virtual issue—it is a human rights violation with serious consequences.”

Officiating at the symposium, Ms. Abeda Rashid Abdallah, Zanzibar’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, reiterated that gender-based violence remains a significant human rights challenge. “Nearly 40 percent of married women in Tanzania experience some form of partner violence,” she shared, warning that “Digital platforms risk amplifying these inequalities if not properly regulated.”

Tanzania’s existing legal framework includes several key pieces of legislation, such as the Cybercrimes Act, the Electronic and Postal Communications Act, the Electronic Transactions Act, and Online Content Regulations. While these statutes provide a foundational structure for online governance, experts contend that they fall short of adequately addressing the inherently gendered nature of online abuse.

To bridge this gap, national policies, including the 2023 National Gender and Women Development Policy and the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children, must be strategically expanded to explicitly incorporate and address online spaces. The urgency of this expansion is underscored by current statistics:

• An alarming 39.5 percent of women aged 15–49 have endured physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from their partners.
• More than half of young women report experiencing some form of online harassment.

Ms. Theresa Zitting, Finland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, stressed the critical importance of integrating the issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence into broader gender equality policies. She called for enhanced collaboration among a diverse range of stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, technology companies, and development partners. Furthermore, she advocated for improvements in digital literacy, the implementation of robust online safety mechanisms, and the adoption of survivor-centered policy approaches.

“Addressing TFGBV is crucial for creating a safe and inclusive digital environment for all,” Ambassador Zitting concluded, highlighting the interconnectedness of digital safety and overall societal progress. The current landscape demands a proactive and gender-sensitive approach to ensure that the digital revolution in Tanzania benefits everyone, without leaving women and girls vulnerable to new forms of harm.