AFD backs Kenyan feminist organisations’ fight against online gender-based violence

Digital technologies have created new opportunities for participation, expression and activism. However, they have also enabled new forms of gender-based violence that disproportionately affect women, girls and gender minorities. Online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual sharing of images and coordinated abuse campaigns can silence voices, undermine rights and limit participation in public life.

In Kenya, feminist organisations are at the forefront of efforts to confront these challenges. Through survivor support services, advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives, they play a critical role in preventing online violence and promoting safer digital spaces.

Strengthening locally led responses

The programme will support grassroots feminist organisations working to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence and to provide comprehensive assistance to survivors. Activities may include legal and psychosocial support, digital security training, community awareness initiatives and advocacy aimed at strengthening accountability and protection online.

By investing in locally led initiatives, the programme seeks to ensure that responses to digital violence are grounded in the realities and needs of affected communities while reinforcing the capacity of feminist organisations to drive lasting change.

Supporting feminist movements

This initiative is funded through AFD’s Feminist Organizations Support Fund (FSOF), a dedicated mechanism that finances grassroots feminist organisations and movements. It is implemented in partnership with Urgent Action Fund–Africa (UAF-Africa), a pan-African feminist fund that supports women’s human rights defenders and feminist movements across the continent. 

The fund aims to strengthen feminist leadership and support organisations working to advance gender equality and defend the rights of women, girls and gender minorities.

The programme will support initiatives that provide comprehensive and survivor-centred assistance to individuals affected by digital violence. This includes legal support, psychosocial services, digital security training and advocacy aimed at improving accountability and protections online.

By supporting locally led feminist organisations, the initiative also seeks to ensure that responses to online gender-based violence are grounded in the lived realities of communities and informed by the expertise of those working directly with survivors.

Part of a broader regional initiative

The Kenya allocation forms part of a €5 million multi-country initiative implemented in Benin, Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Togo and Zimbabwe.

Of this total, €4 million supports a consortium of feminist civil society organisations led by Urgent Action Fund–Africa (UAF-Africa), while a €900,000 component implemented by Expertise France focuses on strengthening public policy dialogue and institutional engagement on online gender-based violence.

Across the seven participating countries, the initiative will support more than 55 feminist civil society organisations working to promote safer digital environments and protect the rights of women, girls and gender minorities.