South Africa: TFGBV from group chats to changemakers
Young people aged 15–18 in Johannesburg moved from silence and uncertainty to leadership and confidence in addressing technology‑facilitated GBV through a youth‑led research and awareness project by GRIT.
The project by Gender Rights in Tech (GRIT) supported 25 young researchers aged 15–18 in Johannesburg to understand, name and respond to technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV). Youth experienced harm privately online, often dismissed by adults. The project created youth‑friendly safe spaces, awareness, research skills and collective leadership. Activities included TFGBV introduction, safe engagement foundations, theme exploration, research methods, and tool creation.
Youth led every step, supported by GRIT facilitation. Change occurred as participants-built language, confidence and collective problem‑solving. They gained awareness, safety strategies, research capacity and recognition as contributors. The project’s significance lies in shifting youth from passive victims to active shapers of digital safety solutions, influencing tools like the ZUZI AI chatbot. Sustainability focuses on continued youth involvement, updated datasets, follow‑ups and a scalable, survivor‑centred model.
Quotes:
Participant 1 - Working with GRIT pushed me out of my comfort zone and built my confidence.
Participant 2 - I learned empathy and how to understand TFGBV issues like xenophobia.
Eldim - When youth are trusted, they lead relevant, respectful and lasting change.
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