The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global movement observed every year from November 25 to December 10. The campaign unites activists, governments, youth groups, and communities to raise awareness, support survivors, and demand stronger action to end violence against women and girls. It also highlights emerging threats like technology-facilitated gender violence, urging safer and more responsible use of digital spaces.
MOMBASA, Kenya—November 28, 2025—Pwani Youth Network Executive Director Alfred Sigo has joined other stakeholders, civil society organisations, students, and community groups in marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, calling for stronger collaboration in tackling both physical and technology-facilitated forms of abuse.
Speaking in Bangladesh slums in Mikindani, Jomvu Sub-county, Mr Sigo said the annual campaign is not only a moment of awareness, but also a period for stakeholders to take stock of progress made in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Sigo emphasised that human rights defenders, gender and children’s rights activists, students from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), youth groups, women and community leaders must work in unison to curb rising cases of GBV and online violence. He urged women, youth and children to “stand up and be champions in the fight against GBV and TFGBV.”
He cautioned the public against normalising cyberbullying, sharing explicit content, body shaming and issuing online threats, noting that digital harm leaves lasting reputational and mental health consequences. “Everyone should be safe online,” he said.
Shared responsibility
Mr. Sigo added that the fight against GBV and TFGBV must be a shared responsibility and called for deeper collaboration between communities, civil society, and State agencies. He urged security agencies to be trained and sensitised on technology-facilitated abuse to ensure victims receive justice and that perpetrators are held accountable, including through strengthened police gender desks.
He further underscored the need for extensive community awareness, especially among young people, on responsible use of digital spaces for opportunities such as jobs and income, rather than for spreading harmful content.
“When we misuse platforms like TikTok and Facebook to share explicit material or expose private lives, such actions fuel mental health challenges and online exploitation,” warned Sigo.
He encouraged victims of cyberviolence to report incidents to police, adding that communities must understand the provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act to effectively support the fight against TFGBV through legal channels.
Schools
Sigo also called for broader programmes targeting school-going children, noting that minors are easily lured into online scams and harmful platforms. “Children must be informed early so they can recognise and resist online exploitation,” he said. He urged parents to closely monitor their children during the long holidays, warning that handing children phones to keep them occupied “is never a solution” but instead exposes them to online predators.
The Pwani Youth Network, he said, is currently engaging children in Bangladesh, Ganahola and Mikindani slums through art activities aimed at driving social change. Over 200 children will participate in the programme from early to mid-December, culminating in football tournaments and community festivals designed to shield children from social vices during the festive season.
The youth organisation has also opened its Mikindani community library to the public to allow pupils to read and borrow books throughout the holidays.
Mr. Sigo urged young people to spend their time productively, balance their online activities, take part in community service, art and sports programmes, and use technology responsibly—especially for job hunting and entrepreneurship. He reaffirmed that combating TFGBV is an “all-inclusive responsibility,” calling on communities and stakeholders to unite in creating safer online and offline spaces.
