Concerns over rise of technology-enabled gender-based violence

Chief Justice Martha Koome, during the National Conference on Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence held in Nairobi on December 9, 2024. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Stakeholders have voiced concern over the rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in the country, targeting women and girls.

The violence, according to Chief Justice Martha Koome, is manifested through stalking, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, defamation, and exploitation.

This, she said, disproportionately affects women in politics, the judiciary, media, and other public spaces.

“While technology has been a transformative tool for women and girls, it has had a downside in the sense that it has provided a platform for the replication and amplification of the perpetration of violence against women online,” said Koome.

The Chief Justice, who was speaking in Nairobi during a conference on TFGBV, expressed concern over the psychological, physical, and economic harm caused by technology. She noted that many survivors experience anxiety, depression, and social isolation, with some withdrawing from public life altogether.

This, she said, is a setback not only for individuals but also for societal development.

“Our society cannot achieve its aspirations for social, economic, and political progress if women and girls continue to experience violence, whether online or offline.”

According to Koome, the Judiciary has a firm resolve to address sexual and gender-based violence in various ways, including through the establishment of Gender-Justice Courts.

She affirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to enhancing access to justice through Gender-Justice Courts, which prioritise the dignity, safety, and privacy of survivors. Currently, 13 such courts operate in 11 counties.

The Chief Justice noted that while there is no specific legal framework governing technology-based gender violence, the existing legal framework provides a basis to address the issue.

She said that the Constitution has provisions that protect human dignity and the privacy of personal information and private affairs, urging victims to report the cases to the authorities.

“TFGBV should never be tolerated at any level of our society. We must take decisive and urgent action against all forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence,” said Koome.

The event, organised by the State Department for Gender in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute, coincided with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Anne Wang’ombe, the Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action, described TFGBV as a growing global phenomenon that primarily targets women in public and political life.

From corporate boardrooms to grassroots activism, women face heightened risks of online abuse, which often spills over into physical spaces, sometimes with fatal consequences,” she said.

According to the PS, the emergence of TFGBV is becoming a major challenge, and if left unchecked, the country risks suffering a setback by losing all the gains made in promoting just societies and inclusivity.

“Both women and men experience technology-facilitated violence. However, evidence shows that TFGBV, abuse, and harassment against women is a growing global phenomenon.”