A few weeks ago, renowned urban musician Lady Aika woke up to disturbing news. Social media, particularly Facebook, was awash with pictures of her with a man, purportedly in love.
“At first, I didn’t take it seriously until my relatives started sending me the pictures, asking what was going on. This man would take my photos and edit them, even creating images that made it look like we had a wedding. The worst incident happened on November 23, my birthday. After I posted my birthday photos, he edited those too, making it appear as though we were together as a couple on that day.
“I then wrote a public message denouncing his actions and asking people to help me deal with the situation. Some social media influencers joined in the fight as well. That’s when he finally stopped posting and even deleted some of the edited pictures,” said Lady Aika, whose real name is Malaika Chikalimba.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most serious human rights violations in Malawi. With the rise of social media and digital communication, technology has become not only a powerful tool for empowerment but also a tool for exploitation and humiliation online.
A study in 2021 by Donald Flywell Malanga of the University of Livingstonia (2021), ‘Survey of Cyber Violence Against Women in Malawi,’ indicated that cyberstalking (92.5%), cyberbullying (83.6%), cyber harassment (76.1%) and online sexual exploitation (71.4%) are among the most common forms of gender-based online violence experienced by women in Malawi.
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) chairperson Chikondi Chijozi has called for renewed efforts to combat the growing threat of digital violence against women and girls.
“A gender gap in respect of access and utilization of digital technology between men and women, with the latter group featuring disproportionately low engagement, remains a pressing issue in Malawi.
“While the country’s overall internet penetration stands at approximately 12.8%, only around 10% of Malawian women are internet users, compared to a much higher proportion of men. Mobile phone access shows a similar divide, with 35.2% penetration overall, yet women are less likely to own or regularly use mobile devices for digital purposes,” she said.
Chijozi added that the disparities stem from a combination of factors,, including limited digital literacy, financial constraints, and entrenched sociocultural norms that restrict women’s access to technology.
“Despite Malawi’s obligations under the Electronic Transaction on Cyber Security Act sections 85 and 88, cases of digital abuse continue to rise. Online violence manifests in many ways, including cyberstalking, dissemination of unsolicited sexually explicit content, cyberbullying, doxxing (sharing personal information), and non-consensual distribution of intimate images,” Chijozi said
She emphasised that digital rights come with corresponding responsibilities-including the duty to protect personal data, responsible use of online platforms, and respecting the rights and dignity of others.
“Continuous public awareness and education on digital literacy and online safety are therefore essential to prevent and respond effectively to cyberviolence,” she said
Among other measures, Chijozi has implored the government to promote women’s participation in digital technology and education to close the gender gap and ensure diversity within the technology sector, train law enforcement, healthcare, child protection officers, and judicial officers to handle cases of digital violence with a victim-centered and gender-sensitive approach, and strengthen collaboration between law enforcement and service providers to effectively identify perpetrators and collect digital evidence, ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
Further, she called for the implementation of survivor-friendly policies and the establishment of safe reporting mechanisms for victims of online abuse; corroboration with the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) provide nationwide awareness and media literacy campaigns promoting respectful online engagement and empowering women to protect themselves digitally; and repealing vague surveillance laws that heighten the risk of privacy violations and further expose women to online abuse.
“The government should ensure the timely prosecution of perpetrators and hold online platforms accountable for harmful or illegal conduct and engage stakeholders, including MACRA and civil societies, including men and boys, in initiatives that challenge harmful gender norms and promote positive digital citizenship.
“Creating safe digital spaces requires more than laws; it demands collective responsibility, continuous education, and a culture of respect online. By protecting women’s rights in digital spaces, we uphold equality, dignity, and justice for all,” Chijozi said.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha said the government is committed to addressing both traditional and emerging forms of gender-based violence.
“The ministry is strengthening coordination with law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and ICT stakeholders to ensure that online abuse is taken as seriously as other forms of abuse. In line with this, I want to remind everyone about the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, which criminalizes cyberbullying, child pornography, and other forms of online abuse. This law gives us a clear legal framework to protect our citizens online.
“Beyond the development and dissemination of policies and strategies on gender-based violence, the ministry collaborates with various stakeholders to equip young women and girls with skills to navigate safely online, create safe and positive digital content, and support their peers when targeted. Additionally, the ministry is working with relevant departments in providing comprehensive services to survivors of violence and ensuring that they do not suffer re-victimisation or stigma,” Navicha said.
Ending gender-based violence, she added, is not a women’s issue; it is a national issue that demands the participation of everyone,, including men and boys, parents and teachers, the government and the private sector, community leaders, and the media.
“I, therefore, call upon our technology companies to build safer digital spaces, our community leaders to speak out against harmful practices, and our young people to use technology for innovation, not intimidation,” Navicha said.
She said the government will continue to create an enabling legal and policy environment where all stakeholders can freely and effectively implement programs and strategies that address gender-based violence, promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
