Confronting Digital Hate: Africa’s Legal and Ethical Response to Hate Speech
Posted: 18 June, 2025 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: #NoToHate, AI, Artificial intelligence, communication landscapes, Countering Hate Speech, cyber-harassment, cyberstalking, Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, discrimination, freedom of expression, gender equality, gender-based violence, gender-sensitive enforcement mechanisms, hate speech, hateful messages, hostility, human dignity, interconnected digital age, International Day for Countering Hate Speech, new technologies, peacebuilding, printed propaganda, sexist hate speech, UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, violence, vulnerable groups 1 Comment
Author: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Every year on June 18, the world comes together to observe the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, a solemn reminder that words can wound deeply and sometimes irreparably. Hate speech is not a new problem. Throughout history, language has been weaponised to demean, divide, and destroy, but today, in our interconnected digital age, the scale, speed, and sophistication of hate speech’s spread are unprecedented. This is especially true in Africa, a continent marked by extraordinary diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and language, where hate speech can quickly inflame tensions and threaten peace. The devastating consequences of hate speech in Africa are not merely theoretical. The 1994 Rwandan genocide stands as the darkest example, where incendiary radio broadcasts and printed propaganda dehumanised the Tutsi minority, turning words into deadly action. This tragedy also became a powerful lesson in the importance of vigilance, legal safeguards, and coordinated responses to hateful rhetoric.
Spotlighting ACHPR Resolution 522: Protecting Women Against Digital Violence in Africa
Posted: 11 December, 2024 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, ACHPR Resolution 522, Africa, Cultural and social norms, cultural norms, cyberstalking, digital gender gap, Digital Violence, doxxing, gender inequality, gender-based violence, gender-sensitive media literacy, harmful surveillance laws, online harassment, social media platforms, violence against women, women’s rights Leave a commentAuthor: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
The rise of digital technology has reshaped the world in various ways. While it has promoted progress in communication, education, and economic empowerment, it has also given rise to new forms of gender-based violence. In particular, women in Africa face unique challenges in the digital space, where digital violence, such as cyberstalking, online harassment, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, is becoming increasingly prevalent. In response to this growing issue, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted a landmark resolution in 2022 aimed at addressing the protection of women from digital violence. This resolution (ACHPR/Res. 522 (LXXII) 2022) is an important step in ensuring that women’s rights are upheld in the digital realm, as part of the broader agenda of combating gender-based violence.
Swiping Right or Wrong? The Risks of Digital Romance for Women’s Rights
Posted: 4 September, 2024 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: African context, challenges, compatible matches, cyberstalking, digital harassment, digital revolution, digital romance, digital technology, discrimination, identity theft, mental health, non-consensual sharing of personal information, online dating platforms, personal data, Privacy Concerns, romance, safety, smartphones, social boundaries, social media, social media networks, targeted harassment, unwanted attention, women’s rights Leave a commentAuthor: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
In the age of digital technology, where smartphones and social media have revolutionised communication across the globe, the landscape of romance has experienced profound shifts, especially within the African context. The rise of online dating platforms and social media networks has introduced unprecedented opportunities for connection, allowing individuals to meet potential partners beyond traditional geographical and social boundaries. However, this digital revolution also brings to light a series of challenges, particularly in terms of women’s rights and safety. In many societies, gender dynamics often intersect with technology use, and consequently, women face specific issues related to privacy breaches, non-consensual sharing of personal information, and digital harassment. The potential for exploitation in online spaces further exacerbate concerns about consent and equality. This article explores the negative repercussions of digital romance on women’s rights, critically examining how these new technological avenues can both empower and endanger women, thereby highlighting the urgent need for digital literacy, robust legal frameworks, and gender sensitive interventions to ensure a safer and more equitable online environment.
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