While gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue globally, this is compounded by the growing impact of technology. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) [1] tactics often target the most vulnerable, with women with disabilities facing heightened risks of online abuse, often as an extension of offline violence. This vulnerability is often exacerbated by dependence on caregivers and technology, low social support, and limited access to reporting mechanisms.

In South Africa, high rates of GBV are compounded by underreporting of violence against women with disabilities due to social isolation, limited legal recourse, and inaccessible reporting spaces, calling for inclusive technological and policy reforms to address these disparities. This blog post explores the ways in which technology both facilitates and potentially mitigates GBV, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive solutions to protect women with disabilities.

The urgent need to address the intersection of disability, technology, and gender-based violence

Gender-based violence against people with disabilities is a globally underreported issue, and the situation is no different in South Africa. The South African Police Services, for example, reports extremely high rates of violence. In the first three months of 2023, for example, 6,289 people were violently killed (969 of whom were women), 10,512 women were raped, and 15,000 women were violently assaulted in gender-based violence incidents. GBV against women with disabilities, however, involves additional complexities, including dependency on caregivers who might also be perpetrators, barriers to reporting violence, and compounded psychological impacts due to pre-existing vulnerabilities.

This form of GBV also includes technology-facilitated abuse, which uniquely isolates and exploits women with disabilities. Violence against women with disabilities is even more likely to go unreported, due in part to social isolation, lack of access to digital literacy resources, and limited legal recourse for digital abuse. Even spaces for reporting are at times not safe. For instance, it was recently found that no police station in South Africa complies with the Domestic Violence Act.

Studies show that women with disabilities are at greater risk of sexual, intimate partner, and other forms of violence [2] [3]. These risks intensify in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where disability is often associated with low-income status and restricted access to legal, social, and technological resources [4]. Additionally, while the digital transformation taking place across LMICs is revolutionising communication, it is equally bringing new challenges as it broadens the potential scope of gender-based abuse.

A 2020 survey by Plan International conducted across 22 countries found that 58% of girls had experienced online abuse, and many reported their first encounter with online harassment between the ages of 14 and 16. For women with disabilities, experiences of abuse are often magnified by intersecting factors such as high levels of dependence on caregivers but also on technology for communication and connection with the outside world, including their partners who may also be carers.

Technology’s dual role in endangering women with disabilities

Technology-facilitated violence against women impacts nearly every aspect of the lives of women with disabilities, often exacerbating the social and economic challenges they already face. TFGBV can lead to social isolation, as victims may withdraw from online spaces to avoid further harm. This isolation is especially detrimental because digital spaces provide essential connection points, offering access to support networks and vital information. The psychological effects of TFGBV are equally significant. Many victims experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as a result of online abuse. For women with disabilities, the psychological impact can be even more pronounced due to pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as dependency on caregivers and a lack of social support. These compounded issues underscore the importance of creating safe digital environments where women with disabilities feel empowered, rather than threatened.

How women with disabilities use technology to counter violence and stay safe

Globally, women with disabilities are increasingly using technology to protect themselves, seek support, and respond to incidents of violence. Digital tools such as social media, mobile applications, and community WhatsApp groups are valuable resources for building support networks, reporting abuse, and accessing critical information. These platforms allow women to share their experiences and create spaces of solidarity, countering the isolation that often accompanies both disability and abuse.

Some accessible digital applications, such as bSafe, Circle of 6 and Safetipin, provide emergency functions and allow users to alert trusted contacts during emergencies. Some of these apps are designed with features like voice commands or easy navigation to make them accessible for people with disabilities. For instance, voice notes on messaging platforms provide an alternative to typing, which can be challenging for those with mobility impairments, while text-to-speech applications allow visually impaired users to navigate online content. By using these tools, women with disabilities can report abuse, seek help, and communicate more effectively.

Some government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) websites offer accessible online reporting portals for cybercrime, which provide a safe way to report incidents without needing in-person assistance. NGOs and community-based organisations, such as Tears Foundation and Mosaic, are also stepping up to support and educate women and girls with disabilities through training sessions and awareness campaigns. These programs are crucial in a context where digital literacy may be low, as they equip women with the skills needed to protect themselves online. Some organisations have created helplines and online reporting mechanisms that cater specifically to people with disabilities, providing a safer space for individuals to report abuse without fear of retribution or judgment.

Inclusive technology and policy development

The ways that technology is being misused against women with disabilities reflect a significant gap in legal frameworks for digital abuse. While some policies address digital harassment, they are often not comprehensive enough to cover the specific vulnerabilities of women with disabilities. Law enforcement’s limited understanding of digital violence compounds the problem, as many victims feel unsupported in reporting these cases. The Non-Compliance with Provisions of Domestic Violence Act at Police Station-Level highlights the need for reforms that ensure protective measures are accessible, inclusive, and effective for all.

Creating a safer digital environment for women with disabilities in South Africa requires a multi-pronged approach. Policymakers, tech companies, and civil society organisations must collaborate to address TFGBV effectively. This means not only implementing stronger policies and laws but also ensuring that technology itself is inclusive and accessible.

One key area of focus is adaptive technology: developing digital tools with accessibility in mind can empower women with disabilities to use technology safely and independently. It includes:

• Enhanced privacy settings to help women with disabilities control who can view their profiles, contact them, and share their information.
• Anti-harassment features, such as blocking, reporting, and muting, which could be customised to offer more robust protections for vulnerable users.
• Improved digital literacy programs, where NGOs and government agencies can work together to offer training programs that teach women with disabilities how to navigate online spaces safely, recognise the signs of digital abuse, and report it effectively.

Legislative reform is also essential to address the specific vulnerabilities of women with disabilities. Current laws in South Africa need to be strengthened to provide clearer protections against digital abuse, and law enforcement agencies require training to better understand and respond to TFGBV. Stronger policies, alongside accessible reporting mechanisms, will help women with disabilities seek justice when they experience abuse.

Building a safe digital future: A call to action

Addressing TFGBV is not only about protecting vulnerable populations but also about promoting digital inclusion and equity. As technology becomes an increasingly integral part of daily life, it is crucial that it serves as a tool for empowerment rather than oppression. To achieve this, all stakeholders must work together, such as:

• Policymakers should prioritise the development and enforcement of digital safety laws that consider the specific needs of women with disabilities.
• Tech companies must design accessible and inclusive products, implementing features that protect users from harassment and enable them to control their online interactions.
• NGOs and civil society should continue their work in raising awareness, providing training, and supporting victims of TFGBV.

Together, these efforts can help create a digital environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered. By recognising the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities in digital spaces, we can foster a more inclusive society that protects the rights and dignity of all individuals.

This blog was written by Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume and Lieketseng Ned, from the Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (DDRS) at the Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, and by Eunice Tunggal and Karen Soldatić, from the Canada Excellence Research Chair – Health Equity and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University.

[1] TFGBV refers to “any act that is committed, assisted, aggravated or amplified by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) or other digital tools, that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms”. According to UN Women, this includes a broad range of behaviours conducted through digital tools such as cyberbullying, harassment, image-based abuse, stalking, and doxing, among others.

[2] Namatovu, F., Preet, R., & Goicolea, I. (2018). Gender-based violence among people with disabilities is a neglected public health topic. Global health action, 11(sup3), 1694758. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1694758

[3] Astbury, J., & Walji, F. (2014). The prevalence and psychological costs of household violence by family members against women with disabilities in Cambodia. Journal of interpersonal violence, 29(17), 3127–3149. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260514534528

[4] Dalvit, L. (2022). A Decolonial perspective on online media discourses in the context of violence against people with disabilities in South Africa. Comunicação e sociedade, (41), 169-187.

How the SVRI Research Grant contributed to expanding our work on TFGBV

The SVRI Research Grant has been central to contributing to the evidence gap on the intersection of disability, gender, violence and technology. Through this project, we have been able to draw additional funds to create the position of a postdoctoral fellow at the Division of Disability and Rehabilitation, Stellenbosch University and, a Digital EDI+A Research Associate at the Canada Excellence Research Chair, Health Equity & Community Wellbeing, Toronto Metropolitan University. This combined set of resources is enabling us to demonstrate new emerging vulnerabilities and risks for women and girls with disabilities – which can influence policy reforms. It’s also giving us the possibility to discuss practices of disruption that women and girls with disabilities use to stop forms of violence that women with disabilities experience everyday when they connect online. These efforts will then inform the design of inclusive GBV responses and strategies. The recognition that comes with the SVRI Research Grant has opened up new avenues for partnerships and further research opportunities, positioning us within a network of influential scholars and advocates. It has reinforced our capacity to produce work that not only contributes to academic discourse but also drives meaningful change in policies and practices surrounding GBV.