A recent national survey conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has shed light on the prevalence of online abuse against women in Kenya. The 2025/2026 Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey (Mini DHS) found that 26 per cent of women had experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence at some point in their lives. This translates to one in four Kenyan women who have faced online abuse. The survey highlights the growing threat of digital harassment targeting women through various forms of technology.
The survey also found that 21 per cent of women had faced technology-facilitated gender-based violence in the 12 months preceding the survey. This indicates that online abuse is a persistent problem that affects a significant number of women in Kenya. The survey identified social media, messaging platforms, and text messages as among the channels through which the abuse occurred. Specifically, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were mentioned as common channels of online abuse.
The report further indicates that current or former husbands and partners are among the alleged perpetrators of online abuse, alongside strangers and online stalkers. This suggests that online abuse is often perpetrated by individuals known to the victim, rather than random strangers. The survey's findings underscore the need for stronger digital safety awareness and improved reporting mechanisms to address the issue of online abuse.
Women in certain counties, including Narok, Kajiado, and Samburu, recorded some of the highest levels of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, according to the survey. This information can inform national and county-level interventions aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse, including violence facilitated by digital technologies. The survey's findings are expected to guide efforts to address the issue of online abuse in these counties.
Beyond documenting cases of digital abuse, the survey examined public attitudes towards victim-blaming and how communities would respond when they suspected a woman or girl was at risk of violence. The findings highlight the need for more effective responses to gender-based violence both online and offline. This includes raising awareness about the issue of online abuse and promoting a culture of support for victims.
The survey's results come amid growing concerns over online harassment, cyberstalking, and the use of digital platforms to threaten, intimidate, or exploit women. The issue of online abuse has become increasingly prominent in recent years, with many women speaking out about their experiences of harassment and abuse online. The survey's findings are a timely reminder of the need for action to address this issue.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics' survey is part of a broader effort to document and address the issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. The findings are expected to inform policy and programming aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse, including violence facilitated by digital technologies. By highlighting the prevalence and impact of online abuse, the survey's results can help to drive change and promote a safer online environment for women.
Key points
- One in four Kenyan women has experienced online abuse.
- Current or former husbands and partners are among the alleged perpetrators of online abuse.
- The survey's findings are expected to inform national and county-level interventions aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse.
