Policy Strategies to Address the Impact of Social Media in Perpetuating Gender-Based Violence Among University Students in Africa.

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a problem faced by university students across Africa, with social media becoming a common environment where the problem is made visible and can worsen. But with the proliferation of mobile phones and internet access, the platforms have revolutionized the way students connect but have also created opportunities for different types of GBV such as digital harassment, stalking, revenge porn, and cyberbullying, targeting female and vulnerable students. The short-term effects can pose a threat to health and well-being, but the damage also impedes progress toward gender equality and academic achievement. This policy brief investigates how digital platforms can perpetuate gender-based violence among university students in Africa. It is based on recent research and sees social media as a source of risk and a possible venue for action. Social gender norms, poor internet literacy, limited statutory protections and inadequate institutional remedies continue to be normalized and are also part of the conditions for online GBV. The solution requires joint action by politicians, educational institutions, Civil Society Organizations, technical businesses and student groups. Universities, in contrast, can assist victims in accessing help by means of support systems which can include counselling services and computerized reporting systems. Social media, when used with caution, can be a tool to prevent, not perpetuate, gender-based violence. Strategic and coordinated approaches that address the root causes of online GBV can go a long way toward reducing its adverse impact on university students in Africa. The brief calls for gender-sensitive internet literacy campaigns, strong legal and regulatory institutions to hold abusers accountable, and awareness efforts to create safer online environments. It is intended to support policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to protect digital spaces and promote gender equality across the continent.