Rising tide of digital violence against women in Chad

In 2016, a horrific event sent shockwaves through Chad. A 16-year-old student named Zouhoura was kidnapped and subjected to a gang rape, a trauma compounded when her attackers shared footage of the assault on social media. Ten years on, the digital landscape remains a hostile environment where women are frequently targeted by online abuse.

In Chad, the simple act of sharing a photo or video can trigger a wave of cyberbullying. Human rights defenders are particularly vulnerable to these attacks. Epiphanie Dionrang, who leads the Chadian League for Women’s Rights, has personally experienced this backlash due to her public advocacy. She speaks out on the harsh reality of digital violence and the urgent need for better prevention and response mechanisms.

The intersection of activism and online abuse

For many women in Chad, digital harassment is an extension of the daily violence they face in physical spaces. Epiphanie Dionrang notes that her leadership role in the League for Women’s Rights has made her a prime target for online retaliation. This digital “backlash” is a direct response to her efforts to challenge social norms and advocate for equality.

This harassment manifests in various ways, ranging from sexist slurs and hate speech to direct intimidation and threatening phone calls. The goal is often to silence women who dare to occupy public digital spaces.

The heavy toll of digital harassment

The consequences of being targeted online are profound and multifaceted. Victims often suffer from severe psychological distress, including chronic anxiety, stress, and fear. In many cases, this leads to clinical depression, a total loss of self-esteem, and a sense of deep humiliation.

Aggressors frequently weaponize private information to shame their victims publicly. This often results in social isolation and, in the most extreme instances, suicidal ideation. Beyond the mental health impact, there are professional and economic repercussions. To protect themselves, many women choose to self-censor or withdraw entirely from civic and public life.

The challenge of accountability

Identifying the perpetrators is a complex task. Harassers may be people known to the victim, such as former acquaintances, or they may hide behind anonymous and fake profiles. Regardless of the source, documenting the abuse is critical. Saving evidence through screenshots, recording dates, and tracking profile links is the first step toward seeking justice.

However, the legal path in Chad is fraught with obstacles. While there is a national agency for computer security and a dedicated cybercrime unit that conducts awareness programs in schools, these efforts are often viewed as insufficient. There is a glaring lack of a comprehensive digital legal code to prosecute these crimes effectively.

Furthermore, many victims remain silent because they lack confidence in the judicial system. Even when formal complaints are filed, investigations can stall indefinitely, leaving victims unprotected and their attackers unpunished.

Breaking the silence through storytelling

Efforts to combat this phenomenon are gaining momentum through cultural advocacy. The documentary “Harcèlement 2.0, La résilience des Africaines connectées” by filmmaker Aché Ahmat Moustapha aims to shatter the taboos surrounding online violence. By featuring the stories of victims, including Epiphanie Dionrang, the film encourages women to speak out.

Creating safe environments where victims are heard and believed is essential. Too often, society blames the victim rather than the harasser, ignoring the context of the abuse. While the film has helped spark conversations in Chad, Senegal, and across the continent, the fight for a safer digital world continues. Advocacy must move beyond awareness toward concrete legislative reform and genuine protection for women online.