As conversations around online safety, gender equality, and the protection of women and girls continue to gain urgency, universities have an important role to play in shaping the response. This was the focus of the Femirise event hosted at Kabarak University, which brought together students, advocates, and other stakeholders to examine emerging challenges and explore ways of creating safer and more inclusive spaces.
The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss gender-based violence, particularly technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), alongside issues such as online harassment, cyberbullying, harmful digital narratives and women's empowerment.
A significant part of the discussions centred on four proposed policy briefs addressing language that perpetuates gender-based violence, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, safety concerns affecting students living off campus, and the need to move away from victim-blaming towards institutional responsibility and preventive action.
Participants expressed concern about the growing prevalence of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the challenges of addressing harmful behaviour across digital platforms. They called for greater accountability among administrators of influential social media platforms and accounts, alongside stronger measures to protect users from harassment, abuse and other forms of online harm.
The discussions also examined the relationship between freedom of expression and responsible online engagement. While recognising the importance of protecting the right to express opinions, participants noted that freedom of expression should not be used to justify harassment, manipulation or harmful commentary. They emphasised that online interactions have real-life consequences and that abusive behaviour should not be dismissed as humour or ordinary social media banter.
Beyond policy and institutional interventions, the event highlighted the role of individuals in promoting safer digital environments. Participants were encouraged to strengthen their digital literacy, exercise caution when sharing personal information, establish healthy online boundaries and adopt responsible approaches to engaging with others on social media.
The need to translate discussions into practical action also featured prominently. Participants called for accessible safe spaces, stronger institutional accountability and effective implementation of policies that protect individuals from gender-based violence, both online and offline.
The event closed with a call for collective responsibility in recognising, reporting and responding to gender-based violence in all its forms. It also highlighted the need for sustained engagement, stronger institutional responses and individual action to make equality, dignity and safety a reality for women and girls.
