The Badili Africa Inception Meeting on the Prevention of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) brought together stakeholders from various sectors across Kisii County to discuss the growing challenge of online gender-based violence and its impact on women and youth. The meeting provided a platform for participants to share experiences, insights, and practical strategies for addressing TFGBV within their communities.
WODEF participated as a strategic grassroots ally, contributing community-based perspectives and experiences on the prevalence and impact of TFGBV. The organization highlighted the importance of strengthening community awareness, empowering vulnerable groups with digital safety skills, and enhancing local mechanisms for reporting and responding to online abuse. WODEF also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safe digital spaces and meaningful participation of women and youth in civic and political processes.
During the discussions, participants identified key drivers of TFGBV, including cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, misinformation, digital stalking, non-consensual sharing of personal information, and gender-based discrimination in digital spaces. They also highlighted the increasing use of technology platforms to intimidate, silence, and exclude women and young people from civic engagement and political participation.
Stakeholders proposed a range of prevention and response strategies, including:
Strengthening digital literacy and online safety awareness among youth and women.
Promoting responsible use of social media and digital platforms.
Enhancing reporting and referral mechanisms for victims of TFGBV.
Building partnerships between community organizations, government agencies, media, and technology platforms.
Supporting psychosocial and legal assistance for survivors.
Advocating for stronger enforcement of existing laws and policies addressing online abuse.
The meeting emphasized the importance of creating safe and inclusive digital spaces that enable women and youth to engage meaningfully in civic education, governance, and political processes without fear of harassment or discrimination. As the country prepares for the 2027 electoral period, participants committed to collaborative action aimed at preventing TFGBV and promoting respectful, secure, and equitable online participation for all.
Outcome: The inception meeting established a common understanding of TFGBV within Kisii County, identified priority areas for intervention, and laid the foundation for coordinated community-led efforts to enhance digital safety and protect the rights of women and youth in online spaces. WODEF's participation strengthened grassroots representation and reinforced the need for community-driven approaches in preventing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.