By Caroline Katana
Kwale County civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for urgent government intervention to address the rising cases of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), warning that online abuse is spilling into real-world harm for women and girls.
Kenya continues to experience high levels of gender-based violence, with women and girls exposed to physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse.
National statistics show that one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.
Femicide cases have risen sharply, with over 100 recorded in 2024 alone, many linked to online harassment and digital intimidation.
TFGBV, including cyberbullying, impersonation, extortion, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of violence, particularly targeting young women, activists, journalists, university students, and content creators.
Weak reporting systems, low digital literacy, and inadequate enforcement of existing laws leave many survivors without support or justice.
In preparation for the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Haki Ni Yetu Consortium, together with local partners, has held a series of community dialogues and film screenings on TFGBV.
During these discussions, CSOs outlined the urgent need for coordinated action, highlighting both the scale of the problem and gaps in government response.
Mweupe Khalifan, of the Inform Action organization, criticized the government for failing to ensure that allocated funds reach the intended recipients.
She noted that Sh40 billion was set aside in the 2024/2025 fiscal year to combat GBV, but interventions at the county level remain insufficient.
“Every week, more than 48 lives are lost in Kenya. These are Kenyan lives protected under Article 26 of the Constitution. If lives are being lost while funds fail to reach the counties, where is the government?” Mweupe asked.
She stressed that advanced technology is being used to exploit young people, warning that if the government does not intervene, an entire generation could be at risk.
The CSOs issued a series of demands to the government and other stakeholders.
They called for county-level digital forensic units equipped with modern tools and staffed by trained officers to ensure faster resolution of online harassment and cyber stalking cases.
They urged technology companies to simplify reporting pathways, provide accessible reporting tools, and respond quickly to TFGBV complaints.
Civil society groups are also committed to scaling up digital safety education and awareness programs, particularly targeting women, girls, and young people.
Sumeiya Omar, a civil society member in Kwale County, highlighted systemic gaps in government response.
She criticized underfunded gender desks, the lack of accountability mechanisms, and the fact that civil society often ends up carrying the burden of frontline response.
“Sometimes the government seems willing, but the funds and manpower never reach the ground. Civil society cannot do this work alone,” she said.
She emphasized that survivors, as taxpayers, have a right to protection, and failure by the government is both morally and legally wrong.
Prisca Mongera, from the G for Girls Initiative, described the logistical challenges survivors face, including long journeys to access law enforcement, courts, and forensic evidence, which is often only available in Mombasa.
Her organization has handled over 48 cases this year, with 40 percent involving sexual violence.
Mongera also highlighted the mental health crisis, noting that Kwale has only one mental health facility, which is insufficient for the growing needs of survivors and first responders.
“TFGBV affects mental health, yet Kwale has only one mental health facility in Tiwi. Children, communities, and first responders are struggling. Through the Kwale Community of Practice, we are supporting a mental health action plan. Progress is being made, but it must move beyond paper to tangible support for survivors,” said Mongera
CSOs also expressed concerns about data management.
They called for segregated, accessible data on GBV cases to ensure the government and other stakeholders can track, report, and respond effectively.
They warned that not all GBV cases are the same—some are physical, others emotional or mental—and appropriate tracking and interventions are necessary.
The organizations reiterated that TFGBV is part of a broader GBV crisis, emphasizing the importance of safe houses, well-trained police officers, forensic audits, and accessible evidence collection.
They warned that without government intervention, survivors will continue to face immense obstacles in seeking justice.
“We are tired of hearing about children being raped, online abuse continuing, and perpetrators crossing borders,” Mongera said
The government has the funds, manpower, and capacity, but is not acting; civil society organizations can only supplement. Protection of citizens is a constitutional right, not a favor,” said Sumeiya
Through their coordinated advocacy, CSOs in Kwale are demanding that the government take tangible steps to protect women, girls, and youth from TFGBV, strengthen mental health services, and ensure that allocated resources are fully implemented on the ground.
