A recent study reveals that nearly six out of ten young women in Tanzania have experienced online harassment, driving many to withdraw from social media.

Conducted by WiLDAF, UNFPA, and Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority between 2023-2024, the research highlights that 60% of young women face online harassment, with almost a third subjected to threats or non-consensual image sharing.One in four women reduce social media use to avoid abuse, underscoring the escalating threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

With 29 million Tanzanians online, digital spaces have become critical for education, business, and communication, yet new avenues for violence emerge.

Experts at a Dar es Salaam symposium emphasized the psychological harm of online abuse, urging collaboration between governments, tech firms, and civil society to address the crisis.

Finland's ambassador stressed integrating digital safety into broader efforts to end all forms of gender violence, as online participation becomes essential for women's empowerment.