This session examines how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) systematically excludes women from political life in West and East Africa. Drawing on recent research by Pollicy in Ivory Coast and Tanzania, the session highlights how social media platforms, while enabling women in politics and women human rights defenders to engage constituents, mobilise supporters, and amplify advocacy, also expose them to coordinated online harassment, gendered disinformation, sexualised attacks, and threats.

Participants will explore patterns of digital targeting during electoral cycles, cultural and structural drivers of online abuse, and the limitations of legal and platform-based recourse. The discussion will be structured into three interactive sections:

Understanding how TFGBV manifests online and its impact on women’s political participation.

Evaluating gaps in platform moderation, legal protections, and governance frameworks that fail to address local and linguistic contexts.

Co-developing practical recommendations for policy, platform accountability, and civil society interventions that strengthen women’s safe digital participation.

The session will use moderated discussion, scenario-based exercises, and real-time synthesis of insights to generate actionable strategies for policymakers, regulators, civil society, and digital rights advocates across the region.