09/10/2026
Can documenting GBV actually cause harm?
Imagine coming across a Facebook post alleging that a woman has experienced gender-based violence. You want the case to be seen, you want people to understand what happened, and you want to contribute to accountability. So you save the post or record the details.
But have you considered what happens next?
What if the information has not been verified? What if documenting the case exposes the person involved to further harm? What if sharing details that are already public makes them even easier to identify?
These are some of the difficult questions that arise when documenting gender-based violence online, and they are questions we have been exploring through our Digital Power project.
Documentation can help make patterns of violence visible, but raising awareness should not come at the expense of someone's privacy, dignity or safety. Publicly available information still requires careful handling, and an allegation should never automatically be treated as a verified case.
Now we want to hear from you.
If you came across a GBV case on social media that you believed needed to be documented, what would you consider before recording or sharing the information?
Would you prioritise verification, privacy, consent, safety or something else? Tell us why in the comments. There is no need to share identifiable details or anyone's personal experience.
African Union Youth Program
