By Own Correspondent

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) this year marked 16 Days of Activism with a call for companies to make workplaces safe from cyber bullying.

The commemorations were marked under the theme "Her Rights, Her Space, Her Voice-Online and Offline" while the global campaign ran under the theme "UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS".

In a speech read on her behalf, ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga said the labour body was advocating for full protection of women and girls in all social and formal spaces.  

“In Zimbabwe, the ZCTU is marking this day through its own theme "Her Rights, Her Space, Her Voice-Online and Offline" as we are advocating for gender equality, women's empowerment, and the protection of women's rights across both digital and physical environments at the workplace and beyond. With this theme we want to highlight the fundamental human rights of women and girls, which are universal and inalienable; we also want to emphasize that women and girls have a right to safe, inclusive, and accessible physical and digital spaces, free from harassment or violence. We also want to say the importance of women's participation, expression, and representation in all aspects of public and private life, including decision-making and dialogue must never be taken for granted,” said Taruvinga.

She said that the world must note that the comprehensive scope of these rights and protections, acknowledging that digital spaces are an extension of physical reality and should be equally safe and equitable.

Taruvinga said key statistics on GBV in Zimbabwe based on 2024 reports from sources like the World Bank, show that Gender-based violence is a significant concern in Zimbabwe with 39.4 percentage of women aged 15–49 experiencing physical violence last year while 11.6 of women in the same age group experienced sexual harassment in 2024.

“Worse still, digital violence is a significant and growing in Zimbabwe, excessively affecting women, journalists, and political activists. It includes online harassment, the spread of disinformation, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images (revenge pornography), often with severe psychological and social impacts.

Forms of digital violence in Zimbabwe include posting vulgar, offensive, or indecent content with the intent to cause distress or embarrass others. Studies show over 75% of female students in Zimbabwe have encountered cyber harassment,” she said.

The ZCTU noted that the consequences of digital violence can be  far-reaching.

“Victims experience anxiety, shame, loss of self-esteem, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Online abuse often pushes women and activists out of digital and public spaces, diminishing their participation in public discourse and threatening freedom of expression. Online abuse can cut off victims' economic livelihoods and opportunities. Let us not forget that online aggression and threats can raise the likelihood of physical violence,” she said.

The ZCTU in line with its campaign, is using the 2025 16 Days of Activism to urge governments to ratify the ILO Convention No. 190 (C190) to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.  

“We are encouraging the inclusion of clauses on preventing sexual harassment and violence, including sanctions against harassers, within collective agreements at the national and enterprise levels. As trade unions highlight the rising crisis of online abuse, harassment, and the weaponization of digital platforms against women and girls, there is need for state to provide safe reporting channels and adequate support services for survivors, especially for cases involving digital platforms. We must also not forget to include man. It is important that men be involved in any campaign to support gender equality and prevent GBV,” said Taruvinga.