Africa-Press – Kenya. The African Women Leaders Network and Women Mediators Network are raising the alarm over increased incidences of cyberbullying directed at women leaders.
They said it had come to their attention that negative images, cartoons, memes and other forms of gender-based violence of sexual nature were circulating on social media.
“Specifically, we are deeply concerned about the bullying of women leaders from Nakuru County where more than Seven were elected to various positions in the just concluded General Election,” they said in a statement on Friday.
“As we write this statement, cyberbullies have turned their guns on none other than the Chief Justice, Martha Koome following the Supreme court’s unanimous decision over the presidential elections on September 5,” they added.
They questioned whether an average girl and woman were safe from being targeted online if a woman leader of the stature of the Chief Justice can be a target.
They called the attacks deplorable, saying they were meant to intimidate our women and girls and push back on development instead of using the technology to advance.
“We are aware that such campaigns are intended to silence and intimidate our women leaders. Unfortunately, this will not happen because Kenyan women have come too far to be intimidated,” they said.
“We call upon our law enforcement officers to move with speed and arrest perpetrators of these digital crimes and charge them according to the law.”
The country, they added, is well equipped with the digital capacities required to get to the bottom of the matter.
“We invite all Kenyans of goodwill and institutions charged with the responsibility of maintaining national cohesion to condemn such incidences whenever they arise. None of us is safe until all are,” they said.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
