25/11/2025
🔶 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Standing Against Technology-Facilitated GBV
As we join the global community in marking the against Gender-Based Violence, we are reminded of a rapidly growing challenge affecting young women across Rwanda and the world: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
With Rwanda’s rising digital adoption, over 12.5 million mobile subscribers and increasing internet connectivity, digital spaces have become central to learning, expression, and opportunity. But for many young women, they are also becoming spaces of harassment, cyberstalking, sextortion, doxing, and non-consensual image sharing.
At DOT Rwanda, through the Digital Skills for Employability (DSE) Program, we believe that true digital transformation must include digital safety.
Because without safety, there is no meaningful participation.
Key reflections shaping our work during the 16 Days of Activism:
🔸 Digital spaces must be safe and empowering.
Young women cannot fully benefit from digital skilling while facing online abuse.
🔸 Positive digital citizenship is essential.
We must challenge harmful online norms and model responsible behaviour.
🔸 Safeguarding must evolve with technology.
Our case management, reporting pathways, and awareness activities must address online risks not only physical ones.
🔸 Prevention is collective.
Ending TFGBV requires educators, youth, partners, and communities to build digital environments rooted in dignity, accountability, and respect.
As we honour the 16 Days of Activism, we recommit to building inclusive, safe, and empowering digital learning spaces where young women can learn, lead, and thrive without fear.
Technology should empower, not endanger.
Let’s stand together to end Technology-Facilitated GBV.