As Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025, feminist advocacy organization Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) has launched a national campaign demanding greater accountability and justice in addressing the growing threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
The campaign, launched under the “Violence Explained” series, seeks to deepen public understanding of how technology is increasingly being weaponized against women and marginalized communities from online harassment and cyberbullying to digital surveillance and data privacy violations.
During a stakeholder meeting in Kampala, Winnie Apio, Programs Officer at AMwA, expressed concern about the rising backlog of gender-based violence cases in Uganda and the limited access to justice for survivors.
“Access to justice remains a challenge, and now we face a new demon technology-facilitated GBV,” Apio said.
“It’s not just about violence online; it’s about how technology is being used to control, silence, and intimidate women and girls.”
Apio explained that social media platforms and digital tools have become double-edged swords offering spaces for empowerment while simultaneously exposing women to unprecedented levels of harm. She noted that perpetrators increasingly exploit technology to stalk, shame, and manipulate victims, often with little or no accountability.
The Violence Explained campaign calls for a stronger legal response to TFGBV, emphasizing the urgent need for laws that protect rather than punish victims.
AMwA is advocating for the passage of the Sexual Offences Bill and gender-sensitive enforcement of the Computer Misuse Act, while cautioning against the misuse of these laws to suppress women’s voices and stifle human rights defenders.
“We need a legal framework that protects women both in the physical and digital worlds,” Apio added.
“Technology should empower, not endanger.”
As part of the campaign, AMwA has rolled out a nationwide multimedia engagement strategy, including live Q&A sessions, radio talk shows, and digital storytelling, to help communities understand the many faces of violence and how they manifest in everyday life.
The organization will partner with radio, television, and online media platforms to amplify the voices of survivors, experts, and activists sparking open conversations on redefining justice in the digital era.
“We are using every platform available to make sure Ugandans understand that violence isn’t limited to what we can see it can happen through a screen, a text message, or even a data leak,” Apio emphasized.
As part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism, AMwA is urging policymakers, the media, and the public to take concrete action to create safer environments for women and girls both online and offline.
The organization says achieving justice in the digital age requires collaboration across all sectors, including law enforcement, tech companies, and community leaders.
“As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, we want to challenge Uganda to redefine justice and protection in the digital age,” Apio said.
“Our fight is not just to stop violence, but to build systems that prevent it.”
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign that runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).
Uganda’s participation continues to highlight the country’s ongoing struggle and commitment to ending all forms of violence against women and girls in an increasingly digital world.