Introduction: a troubling trend in digital spaces
A new report by Equality Now shines a spotlight on how digital platforms are increasingly weaponised to abuse women and girls in Kenya. While social media and messaging apps have connected communities and opened doors for economic opportunity, they have also given perpetrators a wider, faster, and more anonymous channel for harassment, exploitation, and coercion. The study finds that online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA) is on the rise, with risks escalating for young women, students, and women in precarious economic situations.
How the abuse unfolds: common tactics and tools
Experts describe a spectrum of harmful practices that use digital tools to harm women. Known tactics include non-consensual sharing of intimate images, doxxing, and coercive sextortion where offenders threaten to publish intimate material unless demands are met. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and even encrypted spaces can be weaponised to isolate victims, silence reporting, and intimidate families and communities. The report highlights that abuse often starts with seemingly harmless messages that escalate into stalking, impersonation, or manipulation aimed at controlling a woman’s choices—whether about education, work, or personal relationships.
Gender-based violence meets online anonymity
One of the most disturbing findings is how anonymity amplifies fear. Perpetrators can hide behind fake profiles, bot networks, or compromised accounts, making it difficult for survivors to seek help. The digital layer of abuse also intersects with in-person violence: threats made online can translate into real-world harm, including intimidation at home or in public spaces. The report notes that fear of retaliation and social stigma often discourages survivors from reporting incidents to police or seeking support.
Who is most at risk?
Younger women, students, unemployed or economically precarious women, and those in rural areas face heightened exposure. Digital literacy gaps, limited access to reliable reporting channels, and language barriers can hinder effective responses. Women with disabilities may face additional barriers to safe online access and support. The report underscores that cultural expectations about modesty and reputation can pressure survivors into silence, complicating efforts to address the harm systematically.
Consequences beyond the screen
OSEA in Kenya has tangible consequences: mental health deterioration, academic disruption, loss of employment opportunities, and in extreme cases, withdrawal from public life. The economic impact can be severe when survivors leave online spaces or drop out of education due to fear of further abuse. The stigma attached to sexual exploitation can spill into families and communities, hindering broader efforts toward gender equality and women’s empowerment.
What platforms and policymakers can do
The Equality Now report outlines a multi-faceted response. Platforms must strengthen harassment reporting mechanisms, enforce clear policies against intimate image abuse, and act swiftly to remove abusive content. Kenya’s policymakers should consider robust digital safety laws that protect women while safeguarding privacy and freedom of expression. Local NGOs and community groups play a critical role in educating women on digital literacy, privacy settings, and secure reporting channels. Survivor-centered approaches—with confidential, accessible support services—are essential for rebuilding trust in online spaces.
Practical steps for individuals and communities
- Strengthen privacy on social media: limit who can contact you and what information is publicly visible.
- Document abuse: save messages and screenshots, and report to trusted authorities or helplines.
- Seek support: connect with local women’s rights organizations, counseling services, and legal aid.
- Promote digital literacy: community training on recognizing scams, phishing, and coercive tactics.
Conclusion: building safer digital spaces
The Equality Now findings are a call to action. As Kenyan women increasingly rely on digital tools for education, entrepreneurship, and civic participation, it is imperative to curb the weaponisation of platforms and ensure safe online environments. Stakeholders—including platforms, government, civil society, and communities—must collaborate to create robust, survivor-centered responses that deter perpetrators and empower women to navigate the digital world with confidence.
