Akina Mama wa Afrika launches campaign against tech-facilitated gender violence

12 November 2025, 6:09 am

By Nakato Annet

As Uganda joins the world to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025, Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) has launched a bold campaign calling for greater accountability and justice in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

Speaking during a meeting, Winnie Apio programs officer AMwA expressed concern that access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence remains limited, with a growing backlog of cases across the country.

They warned that technology is now fueling new forms of abuse that go beyond online harassment to include surveillance, data privacy violations, and other digital harms targeting women and marginalised communities.

“Access to justice remains a challenge, and now we face a new demon — technology-facilitated GBV,” Apio said. “It’s not just about violence online; it’s about how technology is being used to control, silence, and intimidate.”

The campaign, which runs under the violence explained series, seeks to broaden public understanding of what constitutes violence in both physical and digital spaces.

Through live Q&A sessions, a paid media campaign, and collaborations with radio, television, and online platforms, AMwA aims to create open conversations about the many faces of violence and how society can confront them.

AMwA is also advocating for the passage of the Sexual Offences Bill and gender-sensitive enforcement of the Computer Misuse Act, while cautioning against the misuse of these laws to silence women and human rights defenders.

As part of the global 16 Days campaign, AMwA’s initiative calls on policymakers, the media, and the public to take action in creating safer environments for women and girls — both online and offline.

“Technology should empower, not endanger,” Apio emphasised.

“As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, we want to challenge Uganda to redefine justice and protection in the digital age.”