Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Zim GBC News Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
The YWCA Matabeleland successfully hosted its Intergenerational Dialogue as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Held on 10 December 2025, the event brought together women, men, and youth under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”
YWCA board members were also present, reaffirming the organisation’s long-standing commitment to empowering women and girls and addressing all forms of gender-based violence.
The programme began with an overview of the YWCA’s global mission, highlighting its dedication to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Although founded on Christian principles, the organisation has evolved into a diverse global movement operating in more than 100 countries and offering vital services such as support for survivors of violence, education, housing, and economic empowerment programmes. Many chapters, including those in Zimbabwe, now operate in a secular and inclusive manner to better serve their communities.
During the dialogue, participants explored how digital platforms have become a new frontier for gender-based violence, exposing women and girls to harassment, threats, exploitation, and harmful online behaviours.
The event provided a clear definition of digital violence as any form of abuse or harm perpetrated through phones, computers, or online platforms.
Various growing forms of digital violence were discussed, including cyberbullying, online harassment, the non-consensual sharing of images or videos, and the misuse of deepfake technology to create manipulated sexual or defamatory content. Other forms highlighted included stalking, doxxing, impersonation, and digital blackmail.
Participants from different generations shared their experiences navigating online spaces, noting how rapidly digital abuse has escalated alongside increased smartphone access and social media usage.
Young people spoke about the pressure to maintain online presence, while older participants reflected on the evolving nature of communication and technology. The exchange underscored that digital violence cuts across age groups but affects women and girls disproportionately.
The dialogue also examined the effects of social media and digital violence on victims’ wellbeing, highlighting impacts such as depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, disrupted sleep, academic and workplace difficulties, and in severe cases, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Illustrations and awareness messages displayed throughout the event emphasised the growing threat of digital abuse and the need for collective, community-driven solutions.
The event stressed that meaningful change is achievable when people across generations work together to promote safer online environments, strengthen digital literacy skills, and advocate for stronger protections for women and girls.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among families, youth, civil society, and community leaders to ensure that digital platforms remain spaces of empowerment rather than harm.
Participants agreed that sustained awareness, legal knowledge, and community solidarity are essential to ending digital violence and ensuring that women and girls can use technology freely and without fear.
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