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Tinotenda Hove – The Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group (MWRAG) has launched its 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign with a call for stronger national efforts to confront the growing crisis of digital violence targeting women and girls. Aligning with the global theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” the organisation warns that online spaces have become increasingly unsafe, mirroring and amplifying the gender-based violence that women already face offline.

MWRAG 2025 16 Days of Activism Press Statement

For Gender Equality. For Women’s Rights. For Digital Spaces Safer.

Issued by: Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group (MWRAG)
Theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”

The Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group (MWRAG) proudly joins Zimbabwe and the global community in commemorating the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, held under the international theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” This theme is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to confront the rising threat of online abuse, harassment, cyberbullying, and coercive control—forms of violence that increasingly mirror and intensify the offline experiences of women and girls in our communities.

As a grassroots women’s rights advocacy group rooted in Masvingo, MWRAG has witnessed firsthand how digital violence silences women’s voices, restricts their participation in public life, and perpetuates harmful gender inequalities. From cyber harassment and body shaming to impersonation and extortion, these attacks target women across all walks of life—students, professionals, activists, and ordinary community members. We take these violations seriously, as they not only infringe on dignity and personal security but also undermine democratic participation and community empowerment.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly Sections 51, 52, 56, 61, and 80, guarantees every person’s inherent dignity, equality, freedom of expression, and protection from all forms of violence. Digital violence is a direct violation of these rights. Furthermore, the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act criminalizes acts such as cyberbullying, revenge pornography, impersonation, and digital threats, providing important legal mechanisms to safeguard women and girls in online spaces. Yet laws alone are not enough—collective action is required.

MWRAG therefore calls for:
• Enhanced cybercrime investigation capacity within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)
• Robust reporting mechanisms and safeguards from POTRAZ and internet service providers
• Mainstreaming of online safety into gender and ICT policies by government ministries
• Digital literacy and safety education in schools and universities to protect young women and girls
• Civil society collaboration to scale up survivor support, awareness campaigns, and community outreach
• Ethical, gender-sensitive online engagement by media houses and content creators

We also urge every citizen to use digital platforms responsibly. Online spaces must never be tools of intimidation, exploitation, or harm. Instead, they should be spaces of empowerment, solidarity, and democratic participation.

As we mark these 16 Days of Activism, MWRAG reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls in both physical and digital spheres. Ending digital violence is not only possible—it is essential for building a just, inclusive, and gender-equal Zimbabwe.