By Dickson Bandera
Zimbabwe yesterday launched the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at the Harare International Conference Centre, placing strong emphasis on combating the growing menace of digital violence targeting women and girls.
Running under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” this year’s campaign urges government institutions, civil society, and citizens to confront online harassment, cyberbullying, image-based abuse, impersonation, and other forms of technology-facilitated GBV that have risen sharply alongside digital connectivity.
The 16 Days of Activism, observed globally from 25 November to 10 December each year, is a long-standing international initiative that seeks to raise awareness, influence policy, and spur collective action to end violence against women and girls.
It also reinforces the message that GBV—whether physical, psychological, or digital—remains a serious human rights violation and a major obstacle to development, equality, and social stability.
Speaking at the launch, President Emmerson Mnangagwa called on all sectors to strengthen mechanisms to prevent and respond to GBV, noting that technology should not become a new battleground for abuse.
Several speakers at the event delivered solidarity messages urging the country to move decisively from policy to implementation. They stressed the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws, including the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which carries provisions aimed at curbing digital offences that disproportionately affect women and girls.
Officials, gender activists, and community leaders also underscored the importance of ensuring survivors have safe reporting channels and adequate support services, especially for cases involving digital platforms where evidence can be easily erased or manipulated.
Authorities say the effectiveness of the 16 Days of Activism hinges on participation from all sectors of society. Government departments, civil society organisations, faith and traditional leaders, the private sector, media, and ordinary citizens are expected to play an active role throughout the campaign.
Individuals and institutions have been encouraged to speak out against all forms of GBV, support survivors, advocate for stronger protections online and offline, and promote responsible digital behaviour. Communities are also urged to hold awareness activities, strengthen prevention initiatives, and cultivate cultures grounded in respect, empathy, and accountability.
As the campaign gets underway, stakeholders say confronting digital violence is critical to safeguarding women and girls in an increasingly connected world—ensuring that technology becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a platform for abuse.
