THE violence technology-enabled gender-based (GBVFT) constitute a growing global scourge, and the Morocco don’t escape it. THE women and girls, the primary targets, undergo forms of digital violence often with devastating consequences. A study of High Commission for Planning (HCP)dating from 2019, reveals that 19% of violence against women in the country is digital, a rate which rises to 34% among young women aged 15 to 19.
Faced with this growing threat, theDemocratic Association of Moroccan Women (ADFM)Media and Culture, How Mama How Babaet Jat w Jabt – Génération Libre have just launched the “Out of Control” campaign. As part of the 16 days of activism against violence against women (from November 25 to December 10, 2024), this initiative aims to denounce the misuse of technologieswhich become tools of oppression and domination instead of promotingeducation and thewomen empowerment.
“We must not allow these tools of progress to become weapons of oppression and domination,” declared to the newspaper “Le Matin” Ghizlane Mamouni, president of the Kif Mama Kif Baba Association and spokesperson for the campaign. It warns of the varied forms that this digital violence takes: harassment, doxxing (malicious publication of personal data), threats and breaches of private life. These practices, although virtual, have serious repercussions on the mental health and physical condition of the victims, sometimes accompanied by physical violence. “Digital platforms operate in compliance with the normative and legal frameworks defined by the legislation of each country. It is therefore necessary to establish an open dialogue with all stakeholders to better understand the issues and impacts of technologies on women and girls. This approach, in connection with the resolution brought by Morocco to Human Rights Councilemphasizes the importance of conducting in-depth research to understand these issues and their consequences. On this basis, it is possible to design appropriate legal frameworks, aimed at regulating technologies while defining clear responsibilities for digital platforms, in order to guarantee better protection of women and girls against digital violence,” insists Ghizlane Mamouni.
The “Out of Control” campaign therefore pleads for a strong institutional response, adapted to the challenges of the digital age. This initiative also aims to inform public opinion about the extent of digital violence and its disastrous consequences. The associations not only wish to raise awareness, but also offer concrete support to victims, by providing them with resources to understand this violence and protect themselves from it. In collaboration with local, national and international actors, the campaign intends to strengthen research and data collection on this still poorly measured phenomenon.
The campaign finally calls for ambitious public policies, integrating prevention and protection measures to guarantee safe and respectful use of technologies. The objective is to ensure that the digital revolution becomes a lever forgender equalityand not a source of additional oppression. “Our strategic approach for the “Out of Control” campaign is based on several key axes: awareness, education, mobilization, advocacy and support. We will produce impactful and accessible content to raise awareness among the general public about digital violence and offer practical solutions to protect themselves from it,” explains the campaign spokesperson. And to add that “the campaign carries many key messages, in particular digital violence is real and serious, it has devastating impacts on the lives of victims, including on their mental health, their reputation and their physical safety; no one is safe from this violence, but it disproportionately affects women and girls; it is crucial to break the silence, denounce this violence and support the victims to highlight a phenomenon that is still too often trivialized or ignored; collective accountability is essential, involving users of digital platforms, technology companies and policy makers to build a secure and inclusive online environment; The fight against digital violence requires immediate action, with stricter laws, better education and effective prevention tools.
It should be noted that in a second phase, at the beginning of 2025, the associations will plead with decision-makers for legislative reforms and better protection for survivors. “In the short term, we wish to implement listening and assistance mechanisms to support victims, and develop strategic partnerships with the media, public institutions and digital platforms to guarantee a sustainable and collaborative approach,” explains Mamouni.
By mobilizing the civil society and decision-makers, the “Out of Control” campaign intends to make the fight against digital violence a national priority, to protect women and girls and restore the promise of emancipatory technology.
Questions to Ghizlane Mamouni, president of the Kif Mama Kif Baba Association
Le Matin: What are the major challenges you encounter in mobilizing around GBVFT? Are there currently effective mechanisms or remedies for victims?
Ghizlane Mamouni: The major challenges in mobilizing around technology-facilitated gender-based violence (GBVFT) are multiple. First, there is a lack of widespread awareness of the scale and seriousness of this violence, which limits public and institutional engagement. Then, the victims themselves face many obstacles, including fear of reprisals, shame, and little awareness of available remedies. Discourses minimizing this violence or blaming the victims also constitute a significant obstacle. Finally, digital platforms, although essential for reporting abuse, often lack effective and appropriate mechanisms to protect victims.
Currently, the measures for victims remain insufficient. Although there are laws and assistance structures, such as listening centers or associations that support victims, their accessibility and effectiveness vary. Legal frameworks often lack specificity or rigorous application in the face of digital violence. Furthermore, the platforms themselves do not always guarantee a rapid or appropriate response to reports of abuse.
How do you think we can integrate these issues into educational programs to prevent violence from a very young age?
The integration of issues related to gender and digital violence into educational programs is essential for sustainable prevention. This involves raising awareness among students from primary school on gender equality and mutual respect, the implementation of digital citizenship education for responsible use of the Internet, and the training of teachers in these subjects. It is also necessary to involve families through awareness workshops. This global approach aims to deconstruct stereotypes, promote respectful behavior, and train a generation that is aware and capable of fighting against these phenomena.
What are your expectations of decision-makers to guarantee a safe and egalitarian digital environment?
There is an urgent need to strengthen existing laws to better protect victims of technological violence, to improve psychological, legal and social support mechanisms, and to establish closer collaboration with digital actors in order to create an ecosystem in more secure line. It is imperative to seize the opportunity offered by the reform of the Penal Code currently under discussion to integrate provisions specific to technological violence.
In addition, the revision of Law 103-13 on the fight against violence against women, as requested by feminist associations, constitutes a crucial opportunity to strengthen this legislation. This involves integrating clear, specific provisions adapted to emerging forms of gender-based violence facilitated by technologies. By relying on a concerted and inclusive approach, this reform could not only fill current gaps, but also offer lasting solutions to better protect victims, hold attackers accountable, and adapt the legal framework to the challenges posed by the digital ecosystem. .
