PRESS STATEMENT
ZimRights Commemorates International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
“UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”
Today, as we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, ZimRights stands united with the global community in addressing one of the most pervasive and urgent human rights issues of our time: violence against women and girls. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” highlights the rapidly growing threat of digital violence, a form of abuse that increasingly targets women and girls in online spaces.
Violence against women and girls is not a distant problem. It is happening right now to millions of women and girls around the world, including right here in Zimbabwe. One in three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence, but today we focus on one of the fastest growing forms of abuse: digital violence. This includes harassment, online threats, cyberstalking, defamation, and the widespread use of non-consensual imagery such as deepfakes. In Zimbabwe, several prominent women have faced digital violence for speaking out on political issues or standing up for their rights, including Linda Masarira, Namatai Kwekweza, Fadzayi Mahere among others. These women have been targets of online harassment, which is often politically motivated, with the goal of silencing their voices and
limiting their influence.
In commemoration of this day, we reflect on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one of the most significant international agreements for the advancement of women’s rights. While progress has been made, much remains to be done to ensure women and girls are free from violence – both in the physical world and in the digital realm.
ZimRights remains deeply committed to advancing women’s rights and tackling all forms of violence, including digital violence. Our work focuses on strengthening laws and policies, raising awareness, and providing support to survivors of online abuse. We call for stronger protections for women in both offline and digital spaces. We are dedicated to ensuring that digital literacy and digital safety are prioritized as key tools in the fight for gender equality.
As a signatory to international human rights instruments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Zimbabwe has committed to upholding women’s rights and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.
Regionally, Zimbabwe is bound by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol, which call for the protection of women from all forms of violence, including digital violence. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also adopted frameworks aimed at addressing gender-based violence.
At the national level, Zimbabwe’s Domestic Violence Act and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act are steps in the right direction, but much more needs to be done to ensure that these laws are effectively enforced, particularly in the digital realm.
Call To Action
As we continue the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we urge all members of society to take concrete actions in the fight against digital violence:
- Educate and Empower: Start by educating young people about digital consent, the importance of respectful online engagement, and the impact of digital violence on women and girls.
- Call Out Abuse: Do not remain silent in the face of online abuse. Call out harassment in comment sections and on social media. Amplify the voices of women who are being targeted and stand in solidarity with them.
- Report Harmful Content: Use your platform to report harmful content that spreads misinformation or defamation against women. This includes content that seeks to silence women’s voices in politics, activism, or journalism.
- Demand Accountability: Hold technology companies accountable by demanding stronger policies for content moderation, ensuring platforms are safe and free from harmful content that targets women.
- Support Survivors: Provide support to women and girls who are survivors of digital violence. Encourage victims to speak up and make use of available resources to help them reclaim their digital spaces.
Digital violence is real violence, and it is a violation of fundamental human rights. As we observe this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against women in all its forms, including online abuse. Together, we can create safer digital spaces for women and girls everywhere.
Issued by
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
Email: info@zimrights.org.zw
