Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Zim GBC News Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200eThe YWCA Matabeleland successfully hosted its Intergenerational Dialogue as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
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\u200eHeld on 10 December 2025, the event brought together women, men, and youth under the theme \u201cUNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.\u201d
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\u200eYWCA board members were also present, reaffirming the organisation\u2019s long-standing commitment to empowering women and girls and addressing all forms of gender-based violence.
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\u200eThe programme began with an overview of the YWCA\u2019s global mission, highlighting its dedication to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
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\u200eAlthough 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.
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\u200eDuring 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.
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\u200eThe event provided a clear definition of digital violence as any form of abuse or harm perpetrated through phones, computers, or online platforms.
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\u200e 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.
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\u200eParticipants from different generations shared their experiences navigating online spaces, noting how rapidly digital abuse has escalated alongside increased smartphone access and social media usage.
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\u200eYoung 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.
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\u200eThe dialogue also examined the effects of social media and digital violence on victims\u2019 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.
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\u200eIllustrations and awareness messages displayed throughout the event emphasised the growing threat of digital abuse and the need for collective, community-driven solutions.
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\u200eThe 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.
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\u200eThe 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.
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\u200e 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u200eZim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective\u00a92025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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