Access to remedy for technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Africa

The brief identifies gaps in reporting, investigation and accountability that prevent survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence from accessing justice. It calls for coordinated, survivor-centred approaches that recognise the cross-border nature of digital harm while protecting survivors’ privacy, safety and dignity.

• Establish coordinated, survivor-centred reporting and referral systems: Fragmented responses across law enforcement, regulators, courts and human rights institutions can leave survivors uncertain about where to seek help. Governments should establish multisectoral standard operating procedures that create a no wrong door approach, ensuring that survivors can access appropriate support and remedies regardless of which institution they approach first. These procedures should provide clear pathways for confidential reporting, referrals, content removal, protection orders and effective redress.
• Make digital platforms linguistically and culturally inclusive: Automated moderation and reporting systems often fail to recognise abusive language, local expressions and culturally specific forms of gender-based violence. Governments should require technology companies to provide accessible reporting and response mechanisms that reflect African languages and cultural contexts. This includes working with locally trained moderators and incorporating gender, linguistic and cultural considerations into platform design and algorithmic assessments.
• Strengthen regional cooperation and standards for addressing digital violence: Technology-facilitated gender-based violence frequently crosses national borders, complicating investigations, evidence collection and enforcement. African States should develop binding regional guidelines for investigating and adjudicating cases, including standards for digital evidence verification, survivor protection and court proceedings. Harmonised approaches can help close legal and procedural gaps and make cross-border remedies more accessible and effective.
• Improve awareness of reporting mechanisms and available remedies: Stigma, fear of retaliation and limited knowledge of available support prevent many survivors from reporting abuse. Governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations should strengthen public awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, particularly at grassroots level. These efforts should explain how to recognise and report abuse, where to seek assistance and what remedies are available, while safeguarding survivors’ confidentiality and protection from further harm.