Social media and digital technologies are shaping how people connect, communicate, and engage with the world. As more personal and professional interactions take place online, the rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has become increasingly apparent. In Ethiopia, TFGBV takes many forms, including hate speech, harassment, and revenge pornography, reinforcing harmful gender norms and restricting women’s voices. The impacts extend beyond individual harm, creating a chilling effect that discourages women’s participation in public life.
Online abuse is shaping who gets to speak, lead, and exist safely in digital spaces. Ensuring that women and girls can participate safely and freely in digital spaces is not only a matter of online safety – it is essential for their full inclusion in public life. CIR has been at the forefront of efforts to understand and address these issues through research, workshops, and a conference in Addis Ababa.
CIR’s 2024 report – a comprehensive analysis of gendered abuse on Facebook, Telegram, and X in Ethiopia – brought critical issues to light and underscored the need for further investigation. Building on these findings, this study expands the scope of analysis to gendered hate speech on YouTube and TikTok, offering fresh insights into the evolving challenges of TFGBV in Ethiopia’s digital landscape. By shedding light on the patterns, narratives, and intersectional dimensions of online abuse, this report aims to inform meaningful interventions, strengthen advocacy, and drive policy change to create safer online spaces for all.
The full report can be downloaded below in English, Amharic and Tigrigna. An Afaan Oromo version is coming soon.