Rwanda has launched a nationwide campaign to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), a growing global concern that disproportionately impacts women and girls.
The campaign, titled “My Digital Space Should Be Safe,” was officially unveiled on December 16 by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It aims to confront rising threats to safety, privacy, and freedom in digital environments.
The launch event, held in Kigali, showcased Rwanda’s continuous commitment to promoting digital safety and advancing gender equality.
TFGBV encompasses a spectrum of harmful digital behaviors, including cyberstalking, online harassment, revenge pornography, impersonation, and digital threats. The anonymity and vast reach of the internet exacerbate both the prevalence and impact of these abuses.
According to UN Women, 85% of women globally have either experienced or witnessed online harassment. Locally, a 2023 study revealed that one in three Rwandan women encountered online abuse over the past year.
Speaking at the launch, Olugbemiga Adelakin, UNFPA’s representative in Rwanda, emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about online GBV, particularly in the aftermath of the recent 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25–December 10).
While recognizing the transformative role of technology, Adelakin cautioned that it has amplified risks, especially for women and girls. He referenced a tragic case in the United States, where a teenager took her own life after being cyberbullied and blackmailed into sharing intimate images, highlighting the devastating consequences of tech-driven violence.
“The rapid advancement of digital technologies has turned gender-based violence into a global crisis that knows no borders. Perpetrators may be continents away, yet the harm inflicted can be just as severe and destructive,” Adelakin noted.
He further explained that while strangers can commit these crimes, intimate partners are often responsible for cyberstalking and revenge pornography, which frequently stem from personal relationships.
“Online GBV is not a new phenomenon, but as technology evolves, so does its potential to cause harm. The rise of social media and increased use of ICT platforms have created new pathways for abuse,” he added, stressing the importance of regulations and safeguards to prevent technology misuse.
Adelakin also pointed out that inadequate data protection measures and weak regulations in some areas exacerbate the problem, enabling the misuse of digital tools.
Rwanda has already taken significant steps to address these challenges. In 2018, the country enacted a law on the prevention and punishment of cybercrimes, which includes provisions to tackle technology-enabled GBV. Additionally, the establishment of the National Cyber Security Authority and the involvement of regulatory bodies like the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) demonstrate Rwanda’s proactive approach to curbing cyber-enabled abuse.
Promising developments were also highlighted during the launch. UNFPA, MIGEPROF, and BK TecHouse, a local tech company, are collaborating on a mobile application to combat GBV. Using artificial intelligence, the app will detect patterns of abuse in communities and provide safeguards to protect users from online violence.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Consolée Uwimana emphasized that technology-facilitated GBV is not merely a technological challenge but a serious human rights violation that threatens individuals’ dignity and safety.
“Our vision of ‘All for GBV-Free Families’ is a society where everyone can navigate digital spaces without fear,” Uwimana said.
The “My Digital Space Should Be Safe” campaign adopts a comprehensive approach centered on both prevention and response. Its primary goals are to raise public awareness about the risks of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), empower individuals with tools to ensure online safety, and create a supportive environment where survivors can report incidents and access assistance. The campaign promotes multi-sector collaboration, uniting government agencies, civil society organizations, and technology companies to develop and implement effective policies and practices.
Rwanda’s rapid digital transformation, driven by widespread internet access and smart city initiatives, has created new opportunities but also exposed vulnerabilities—especially for women and girls who are at heightened risk of online harm. The campaign aims to achieve key outcomes such as increased public awareness of TFGBV, enhanced knowledge of digital safety practices, stronger cross-sector partnerships, and the establishment of policies and technological solutions to ensure safer digital spaces for everyone.
