The Role of Multistakeholderism in Countering Gendered Disinformation in Africa

Gendered disinformation has been on the rise across the African continent. Research points to several reasons for this trend, including religion, culture, elections, patriarchy, repressive legal frameworks, ignorance, and lack of commitment from governments to counter it. Stakeholders, particularly civil society, have made efforts to conduct investigations, build capacity for the most vulnerable individuals, raise awareness, and develop tools to monitor gendered disinformation and fact-check information. Several actions undertaken by researchers, civil society, academia, governments, and platform owners to combat gendered disinformation highlight what has been effective and what has not. 

As the Forum for Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica) 2025 approaches from September 24 to 26, 2025, in Namibia, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) will join our partners to discuss “Defending Human Rights Amidst Increasing Gender Disinformation Cases in Africa.” 

In this article, I reflect on the FIFAfrica 2024 panel discussion in Senegal, which WOUGNET participated in alongside partners including the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance of Uganda, Mozilla, and Article 19 Eastern Africa. Moderated by Peace Oliver Amuge, the session identified and analysed the challenges faced by feminist movements in combating gendered disinformation, especially the manipulation of feminist rhetoric by governments to undermine women’s rights movements. It fostered a collective understanding of these challenges among the various actors present.

As we prepare for FIFAfrica 2025, this discussion serves as a timely reminder to move conversations towards collective action.

Disinformation as a Weapon: Feminism, Identity, and Resistance in Africa

Dr. Tigist S. Hussen, Research Lead at APC, stated that feminism in Africa is being questioned, as many governments and individuals have exploited this topic to undermine feminist organisations, close academic departments, and suppress women's movements. This is not merely a casual issue but a deliberate form of disinformation. “Addressing this situation requires an understanding of patriarchal norms and an exploration of how these norms manifest across the African continent,” Tigist stated. Similarly, the idea that "homosexuality is un-African," particularly in Uganda and other countries, demonstrates how governments exploit this narrative to create a sense of public awareness that ultimately targets individuals.

Addressing this situation requires an understanding of patriarchal norms and an exploration of how these norms manifest across the African continent.

Furthermore, while gender stereotyping, anti-homosexuality sentiments, and anti-gender movements are relevant topics, we must also examine how they influence disciplinary actions against movements such as feminism. Feminist movements have faced significant challenges, including trolling, displacement, and being sidelined as a political agenda. There is a need for research to illustrate the connection between the online experiences of feminists and the realities they face offline, particularly regarding government narratives, social media platforms, and civil society organisations. By strengthening this link, we can better understand the risks involved and explore ways to mitigate them.

Truth, Power, and Resistance: Tackling Gendered Disinformation in Uganda

As the Executive Director of WOUGNET, I explained during the panel discussion how the organisation is deeply committed to collectively combating gendered disinformation. WOUGNET’s approach has been multifaceted, emphasising research, capacity building, awareness creation, and collaboration with various stakeholders. In the Ugandan context, several common forms of disinformation are encountered. One significant issue is the manipulation of information through Artificial Intelligence, which has become widespread in the region. There is also the demonisation of progressive ideas such as gender equality, alongside various forms of abuse, including trolling, insults, body shaming, sexualised comments, and other gender-based attacks. 

WOUGNET has focused on documenting evidence of these issues. For instance, the Anti-Homosexuality Act, passed in 2023, has notable implications, especially with Uganda approaching the election period in 2026. A prominent narrative surrounding this act involves repainting playgrounds with rainbow colours and burning items that display these colours. These actions reflect how individuals perceive gendered disinformation and illustrate discrimination against communities such as the LGBTIQIA+ community. 

WOUGNET has also documented several distressing incidents driven by disinformation, such as cases where landlords have evicted tenants based on their sexual orientation, and the denial of HIV and other sexual and reproductive rights. It is vital to recognise that everyone is entitled to sexual and reproductive health, regardless of their identity. Another alarming trend is the hashtag "#FearWomen" which undermines the dignity of women and seeks to silence them by portraying them negatively. 

Furthermore, as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, there is a rising tide of gendered disinformation that challenges women’s political participation. For example, WOUGNET interviewed Hon. Sylvia Rwabogo, a former Member of Parliament, to understand how disinformation affected her chances of re-election. In 2018, a young man cyberstalked her, and the media coverage was dismissive of her experience. This portrayal manipulated public perception and depicted her as “weak,” ultimately influencing her political engagement.

Another example is Dr. Miria Matembe, a prominent politician and women’s rights activist, who filed a defamation case against Ofono Opondo, a government spokesperson, who made sexist remarks about Dr. Matembe, claiming that her husband left her for a housemaid.

There is also the demonisation of progressive ideas such as gender equality, alongside various forms of abuse, including trolling, insults, body shaming, sexualised comments, and other gender-based attacks. 

Disinformation specifically targets the public images of women in positions of power, damaging their reputations and influence. Several women politicians in Uganda, such as Rebecca Kadaga, the former Speaker of Parliament, and Doreen Nyandura, have faced gendered disinformation. 

In addition to emphasising digital literacy through engagement with women politicians, WOUGNET  plans to raise awareness and build resources through advocacy initiatives, where politicians and journalists can share their experiences and insights. 

Digital literacy and empowerment are essential elements of WOUGNET’s work. For instance, the organisation has conducted numerous digital training sessions not only for women politicians but also for media professionals, helping them understand how to report on these issues accurately and sensitively.

Additionally, there is a need to think collectively about how to counter gendered disinformation. Policy change is also essential, although it can be a slow process. We must develop policies that specifically address gendered disinformation. 

Gendered Disinformation and the Law: Rethinking Protection in East Africa

In a panel discussion during the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), Angela Minayo, Program Officer for Digital Rights and Policy at Article19 Eastern Africa, said, “Being a woman is a political position, whether we choose it or not, and this experience is heavily influenced by societal politics—how we speak, dress, or style our hair. These factors contribute to gender stereotypes, which have been evident in the discussions among the panellists here.”

The reality is that the mere presence of a woman can be a political statement, attracting various forms of backlash, particularly online. This reflects societal perceptions of gender roles, rather than being an issue solely related to platforms like Meta or Twitter. The challenges posed by technology are deeply rooted in our cultural attitudes and values.

Being a woman is a political position, whether we choose it or not, and this experience is heavily influenced by societal politics—how we speak, dress, or style our hair. These factors contribute to gender stereotypes.

Article19 has been engaged in programs targeting disinformation and highlighting its gendered dimensions. A notable achievement was producing a resolution recognising gendered disinformation and the attacks women face online. Despite having laws regarding disinformation, they often do not serve to protect women; instead, they are frequently used to silence dissenting voices. For instance, when discussing online safety, there is a need to determine whether the laws being enacted effectively safeguard women. In Kenya, sections 18 and 23 of the Computer Misuse Act are typically applied against critical voices opposing the government, rather than serving as protections for women. Similar laws exist in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda; however, they are not being effectively implemented to protect women. Even new laws tend to overlook the needs of women in digital spaces. 

“Every time I speak to victims of tech-facilitated gender based violence and encourage lawyers to take on their cases, I begin by highlighting the pervasive disrespect for women that needs to change. For example, sex workers are often portrayed negatively, reflecting how societal norms shape perception based on presentation and dress. These norms and stereotypes contribute to the ongoing cycle of gendered disinformation and affect how victims are treated by both the justice system and society at large,” Minayo highlighted.

Article 19 continues to engage with the issue of disinformation under the Social Media for Peace project, emphasising the gendered aspect of technology and the systemic normalisation of abuse and violence against women.

Bridging the Gaps: Government Action and Multistakeholder Collaboration on Gendered Disinformation

Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, Senior IT Officer and IP Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Uganda, mentioned that there’s often a belief that government is not part of the policymaking conversation, and appreciated how the discussion was structured. “If you feel that parliamentarians should be included, we must bring them into the conversation. Similarly, if it’s government officials who should participate, we can invite them so they receive the information directly,” Shirley mentioned.

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has emphasised the importance of a multistakeholder approach in addressing gendered disinformation through policy. One of the key outcomes of ongoing dialogue and collaboration is the development of the Digital Skills Agenda, which aims to promote digital rights from an early age. Recognising that digital inclusion must begin with the youngest members of society, the Ministry introduced the Digital Security Agenda, which ensures that children—starting as early as five years old—gain access to digital platforms and tools in schools. This initiative sparked critical conversations around preparedness, protection, and the skills needed to safeguard children from cybercrime and gender-based violence.

As digital connectivity becomes as essential as water or electricity, the Ministry highlighted the need to support initiatives from government, civil society, and private institutions to ensure Uganda progresses alongside the rest of the world. These efforts are not just about infrastructure, they’re about empowering communities and building resilience.

Despite having laws regarding disinformation, they often do not serve to protect women; instead, they are frequently used to silence dissenting voices.

A key challenge discussed is the balance between freedom of expression and social responsibility. The Ministry pointed to the Computer Misuse (amended) Act 2022, which includes provisions to protect privacy and prevent the sharing of sensitive information without consent. This law, however, is often misunderstood—especially in rural communities with limited access to accurate information. To address this, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is working with local radio and TV stations, as well as community leaders, to disseminate information in regional languages. The aim is to counter misinformation and ensure that citizens understand their rights and responsibilities in the online environment.

Another priority is strengthening legal frameworks and ensuring they are not only well-written but also effectively enforced, thereby building public trust.

The Ministry acknowledged existing gaps, particularly in enforcement and emerging threats, such as AI-driven misinformation. It highlighted need for increased investment in digital literacy and innovation hubs, and recognised that collaboration, innovation, and education are key to building a safer, more inclusive digital future for Uganda.

Tools, Gaps, and Lessons: Tackling Gendered Disinformation in the Digital Age

During the panel discussion, speakers reflected on what has worked, and what hasn’t, in the fight against gendered disinformation. Muthuri Kathure, Advocacy Lead for East and Southern Africa at Mozilla, mentioned that many interventions have emerged through partnerships with tech companies and civil society, including research initiatives such as Mozilla’s commissioned studies on gendered disinformation in Uganda. While tech platforms have introduced mitigation measures to reduce the risks associated with their use, these efforts are far from perfect. One major challenge is the tendency to lump together distinct issues like disinformation, misinformation, online gender-based violence, and child safety under broad policy umbrellas. This lack of specificity dilutes the effectiveness of interventions. As panellists noted, policies and tools must be tailored to address each issue individually.

Tech companies have also established external mechanisms, such as oversight and advisory bodies, which include technologists, human rights defenders, and policy experts. These bodies often handle appeals related to gendered disinformation and other forms of online abuse.

Community guidelines are another key tool, but they’re often overlooked. During the panel discussion at FIFAfrica 2024, Muthuri emphasised the importance of reading platforms’ policies. These documents outline what is allowed, what isn’t, and the exceptions (like when misinformation is permitted for public interest). Understanding these rules is essential for responsible platform use.

Content moderation remains a widely discussed mechanism. While it has helped remove harmful content, it’s not without flaws. For example, content from human rights defenders and journalists has sometimes been wrongly flagged or removed. Language limitations also pose a challenge—Cameroon alone has 288 languages, yet most moderation tools only support around 70.

Engagement with civil society is another important mechanism. Events like FIFAfrica, which bring together representatives from tech companies, create an opportunity for dialogue and accountability. Some organisations have built ongoing relationships with platforms, hosting them locally and discussing policy gaps and improvements.

Content from human rights defenders and journalists has sometimes been wrongly flagged or removed. Language limitations also pose a challenge—Cameroon alone has 288 languages, yet most moderation tools only support around 70.

Amidst this, policy development is also evolving. Article19 has worked on integrating business and human rights guidelines into tech accountability frameworks. These efforts aim to protect freedom of expression while addressing the harms of disinformation. New policies are emerging to tackle issues like manipulated content, such as deepfakes targeting women politicians, and the sexualisation of innocent interactions.

Tech companies have also launched women’s safety hubs, invested in human capital, and hired advisors focused on gender issues. Tools like StopNCII.org help users report and prevent the spread of non-consensual intimate images, while Take It Down supports child safety by stopping the circulation of harmful content.

Transparency is another area of progress. Since 2012, many tech companies have published transparency reports on online gender-based violence and disinformation; however, the practice seems to have been affected in the wake of increasingly polarised digital spaces. Organisations like Access Now have created a Transparency Index to track how consistently and clearly these reports are released.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. That’s why multistakeholder collaboration between government, civil society, and tech companies is essential. The FIFAfrica 2024 panel concluded with an important reminder that real progress starts with awareness. 

Platform owners have implemented tools and mechanisms to combat gendered disinformation. However, the challenge lies in increasing awareness and utilisation of these existing resources. Additionally, it is vital to identify and address any gaps in these current approaches.

Reflections on Gendered Disinformation and Digital Rights

In a dynamic Q&A session on gendered disinformation and digital rights during the panel discussion, participants and panellists emphasised the urgent need for consistent regulatory enforcement, meaningful engagement with Big Tech, and community-driven advocacy. One participant from Uganda highlighted the failure of regulators to address gendered disinformation with the same urgency as political or religious content. At the same time, another person from Sierra Leone raised concerns about cyber laws being weaponised to silence dissent. One person questioned the effectiveness of multistakeholderism, pointing to power imbalances and opaque platform policies. Whereas one attendee emphasised society’s complicity and the ethical dilemmas of civil society’s reliance on tech funding. 

Dr. Tigist S. Hussen from APC called for accountability from both governments and platforms, urging support for feminist storytelling and locally led research.  I emphasised the importance of legal literacy and cross-sector collaboration, and proposed a national task force to sustain momentum. Together, Angela Minayo and Muthuri Kathure emphasised the need for inclusive, context-aware solutions informed by African perspectives, shifting the conversation from dialogue to coordinated action.