At UNDP Malawi, we join the world in commemorating #16Days of Activism to #EndGBV. This year, we say: Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls!

In Malawi, digital and offline abuse can push girls into child marriage and teenage pregnancies, robbing them of education, leadership opportunities, and a fair shot in the labour market. These cycles of harm suppress women’s economic power and hold back our nation’s development.

Gender-based violence, whether in the home, community, or online, is a critical barrier to development and human rights. Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In Malawi, the challenge is acute:

• Nearly 1 in 2 Malawian women (46%) have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Child marriage remains a pressing issue, with 38% of girls married before age 18, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, a national survey found that 92.5% of women and girls interviewed had experienced cyberstalking, 83% had faced cyberbullying, 76% had experienced cyber-harassment, and over half (54%) had been victims of non-consensual pornography. Most cases go unreported, and only 3% of those who reported saw their perpetrator arrested. 

Digital transformation is reshaping our societies, economies, and governance at unprecedented speed. While technology offers immense opportunities, it also brings new risks. As internet access expands, especially among youth and women, so does the reach of online abuse. In Malawi, Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok are the main platforms where women and girls face harassment, sexual exploitation, and hate speech. The impact is not just emotional or reputational: it leads to girls dropping out of school, withdrawing from public life, and missing out on leadership and economic opportunities.

The UNDP-supported Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Digital Observatory Hub, recently recognised with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Award, is transforming how SGBV cases are reported and addressed. During the 2025 elections, one of the digital platforms we support also monitored online and offline election-related violence, enabling rapid interventions and promoting safer digital spaces for women.

But technology alone is not enough. We must invest in strong legal frameworks, survivor-centred services, and community-driven action. We call on all partners: government, civil society, the private sector, and every Malawian, to unite in ending all forms of violence against women and girls. Let us ensure that innovation advances equality, not harm.

Together, we can build a future where every woman and girl is safe, empowered, and free to reach their full potential, in every space.

Join us. Speak out. Act now.

#NoExcuse #ActToEndViolence #DigitalJustice #MalawiLeads #GenderEquality #UNDPMalawi