Groundbreaking Workshop on AI and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence at AWiM24 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Lagos, Nigeria – 4 February 2025 – The African Women in Media Conference 2024 (AWiM24) successfully hosted a pivotal workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The session, held on 5-6 December 2024, brought together media professionals, policymakers, and civil society stakeholders to address the increasing challenges of online harassment against women in public life. 

The workshop was underscored by UNESCO’s report “Your opinion doesn’t matter anyway” Exposing Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence in an era of Generative AI which that 58% of young women and girls globally have experienced online harassment on social media platforms. This pushes the need for visibility of these cases in line with AWiM’s findings that more visibility is needed for under-reported issues, such as child marriage, human trafficking, and digital violence. 

“AI and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence” is part of AWiM’s ongoing project on Developing Tools and Resources for the Adoption of the Kigali Declaration in Newsrooms, supported by UNESCO through the IPDC framework. The initiative underscores the need for heightened awareness, sensitization, and guidelines to combat gender-based violence in media. 

Key Insights and Calls to Action 

The sessions provided critical discussions and generated key recommendations, including: 

• Strengthening Reporting Mechanisms: Participants advocated for the establishment of user-friendly reporting systems, including dedicated hotlines and support centres to assist victims. 

• Building Capacity for Law Enforcement: Calls were made for enhanced training programs for law enforcement agencies to handle TFGBV cases effectively. 

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The workshop emphasised the importance of partnerships between civil society organizations, technology companies, and media to combat TFGBV. 

• Engaging Big-Tech and Telecommunication Companies: Attendees urged tech firms to take responsibility for promoting ethical, gender-sensitive reporting and enforcing stricter policies against online harassment. 

• Providing Psychosocial Support Services: Recommendations included the establishment of counselling services and support groups to help victims navigate the emotional and psychological impact of online violence. 

The discussions reaffirmed the urgent need for policy reforms and collective action to create safer digital spaces for women in media and public life. The outcomes of this workshop will contribute to the ongoing implementation of the Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034. 

For more information about the Kigali Declaration, visit www.africanwomeninmedia.com/declaration/ or contact: Lobna Msilini { assistant@africanwomeninmedia.com} 

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About African Women in Media 

African Women in Media (AWiM) is a network for African women working in media industries globally. We aim to positively impact the way media functions in relation to women, and our vision is that one day African women and women working in media in Africa will have equal representation in media industries. 

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About the Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034 

The Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034 is a 10-year action plan setting the minimum standards for media stakeholders. Established on 1 December 2023 at the African Women in Media ‘Gender and Media Violence’ Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, it aims to improve media practices, ensuring fair representation of African women and responsible reporting on gender-based violence. 

About UNESCOs International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) 

UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community around media development by promoting media development within developing countries, countries in transition, and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. It provides support for media projects while seeking accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic press. 

https://www.unesco.org/en/international-programme-development-communication