ADDIS ABABA– Research emphasized the need for combating technology facilitated Gender Based Violence (GBV) which is a widespread prevalence of online abuse, including hate speech, in Ethiopia.
Research carried out by the Center for Information Resilience (CIR), a UK based nonprofit, revealed that abuses is often overlooked, with gendered hate speech often slipping under the radar and becoming so endemic it is “normalized to the point of invisibility.”
The highlight of the research was presented here yesterday at the event co-hosted by CIR and the Ethiopian Human Right Defenders Centre. The internet and social media presents a new frontier in the fight against GBV.
The research indicates that while both men and women in Ethiopia are subjected to online abuse and hate speech on social media platforms, there are differences in the nature, purpose and impact of this GBV.
Research found that while men face abuse related to their encounter misogynistic abuse based on gender stereotypes related to their appearance, marital status and subjected to relationships. Interviewees told that gendered online abuse can damage professional reputations, cause psychological harm and impact personal and family relationships.
According to the research findings, the risk associated with being a female online are compounded by the targeting of other protected characteristics, such as ethnicity or religion. The research also reveals how hate speech that is reactive or political events – such as hate directed at women from ethnic groups involved in ongoing conflict – may use more aggressive and inflammatory languages.
The research emphasizes the importance of creating safe online environments to empower women’s engagement in online and offline public spaces by countering gender stereotypes and discrimination, promoting the representation of women and girls in public roles, and improving education on the identification and impact of online abuse, including hate speech.
With internet access rising across Ethiopia, now is the time to make online spaces safe for women and girls said Adyam Solomon, CIR, Researcher and Project Coordinator said adding “Through our research and event we hope to raise awareness about the impact of technology facilitated GBV in Ethiopia and discuss what needs to be done to make digital spaces safe for women and girls.”
EHRDC Advocacy and Communication Officer, Kalkidan Tesfaye on her part said: “We recognize the importance of preventing online- based violence and other digital threats with a special focus on supporting women’s human right defenders. We, together with CIR, will work to prevent these online threats by supporting and collaborating with women’s human right defenders.”
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 10 MAY 2024
