Online harassment
Threats, intimidation, sexual harassment and repeated unwanted contact through WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and other digital platforms.
Digital safety, dignity and justice in Uganda
Malaq Impact Initiative
Building safer and more inclusive digital spaces for women and girls in Uganda.
Malaq Impact Initiative works to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) through digital safety education, survivor-centred support, research, advocacy and collaboration.
- Survivor-centred
- Rights-based
- Evidence-informed
Hero image: women and girls using technology with confidence
- Online harassment
- Image-based abuse
- AI-generated abuse
- Digital stalking
- Account takeover
- Doxxing
- Sextortion and grooming
- Coercive control
- Digital impersonation
- Financial abuse
Why Malaq exists
Technology has transformed how we live, and how violence can occur.
Digital technologies have created new opportunities for communication, education, economic participation and social connection. They can also be used to perpetrate, facilitate or intensify gender-based violence.
These experiences can threaten survivors' safety, privacy, dignity and economic security, and their ability to participate freely in digital spaces. Malaq works to ensure that technology contributes to empowerment rather than becoming a tool for abuse.
Understanding TFGBVKnow the signs
Recognising technology-facilitated gender-based violence
Digital abuse is often dismissed as "just online". It is not. Recognising it is the first step towards stopping it.
Ten forms of technology-facilitated violence, explained
Learn how each form works and the warning signs to look for.
Explore all tenImage-based abuse
Sharing or threatening to share intimate images or videos without a person’s consent.
AI-generated abuse
AI-generated or manipulated sexual or harmful content created and shared without consent to humiliate, threaten or silence someone.
Digital stalking
Using digital tools to track someone’s location, monitor their devices or secretly access their accounts.
Account takeover
Gaining unauthorised access to social media, email or mobile money accounts to control, exploit or harm someone.
Doxxing
Publishing or threatening to publish private or identifying information to intimidate someone or expose them to harm.
Sextortion and grooming
Using manipulation, coercion or threats to obtain sexual images, videos or other sexual material from women, girls or other targeted individuals.
Coercive control
Using phones, tracking devices, passwords, spyware or other technology to monitor, restrict or control an intimate partner.
Digital impersonation
Using another person’s identity, photographs or accounts to deceive, harass, exploit or cause harm.
Financial abuse
Using mobile money, banking platforms or other digital accounts to control, exploit or financially harm someone.
Why Uganda
Why this matters in Uganda
Digital technologies are increasingly part of everyday life in Uganda, and access to online spaces matters more and more for education, employment, enterprise, communication and civic participation.
Technology-facilitated violence can undermine people's ability to take part in these spaces safely and equally. Malaq works within the Ugandan context to strengthen prevention, survivor support, digital safety, evidence and institutional responses.
1 in 3
women internet users surveyed in Uganda (aged 18 to 65) have experienced online gender-based violence
Source: Pollicy, Alternate Realities, Alternate Internets (2020)
11.4m
people using the internet in Uganda at the end of 2025, 22% of the population
Source: DataReportal, Digital 2026: Uganda
33%
gender gap in mobile internet use: women in Uganda are a third less likely than men to use it
Source: GSMA, Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026 (2025 data)Our approach
Three strategic pillars
Together, these pillars form the framework for everything we do, from immediate support for survivors to long-term change in the systems around them.
Protect
We work to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence while strengthening survivor-centred pathways to safety, support and justice.
Empower
We equip women and girls, communities and other stakeholders with knowledge, skills and practical tools to navigate digital spaces safely and confidently.
Transform
We generate evidence, strengthen policies and institutions, and engage technology stakeholders to promote safer and more accountable digital environments.
What we do
Turning our pillars into action
Five programme areas make our work concrete, reaching individuals, communities, institutions and the platforms that shape digital life.
01
Digital safety and prevention
Digital safety education, awareness campaigns and practical resources that help people recognise and prevent technology-facilitated violence.
02
Survivor support and referrals
Information, guidance and referrals to trusted legal, psychosocial, health and digital-security services.
03
Research and evidence
Generating and documenting evidence on TFGBV to strengthen understanding, programming and decision-making.
04
Policy and advocacy
Working with policymakers and institutions to strengthen policies, systems and responses to technology-facilitated violence.
05
Technology and platform engagement
Engaging technology companies and digital platforms to promote safer, more accessible and more accountable digital environments.
See how our pillars and programmes fit together
Explore our work
Image: a calm, supportive conversation
Confidential by defaultYour privacy and choices come first.
For survivors
If you are experiencing digital abuse, you are not alone.
Technology-facilitated violence can be frightening, isolating and difficult to navigate. You do not have to deal with it alone.
Malaq can provide information on digital safety, help you understand your options and, where appropriate, connect you with trusted support services.
You can get information about
- Digital safety
- Preserving evidence safely
- Reporting options
- Legal support
- Psychosocial support
- Account and device security
- Referral services
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Our impact
Creating measurable impact
Our impact is being built through evidence-based programmes, strategic partnerships and community engagement. We will publish verified results here as they become available.
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People reached through digital safety education
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Survivors supported or referred
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Community sessions conducted
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Research and policy outputs
Knowledge and resources
Evidence and practical tools
Resources to understand, prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Research and reports
Findings and analysis on TFGBV in Uganda.
BrowsePolicy briefs
Recommendations for decision-makers and institutions.
BrowseDigital safety guides
Practical steps to protect accounts, devices and privacy.
BrowseSurvivor resources
Guidance on evidence, reporting and finding support.
BrowsePartnerships
Working together for safer digital spaces
Addressing technology-facilitated violence requires collaboration across sectors. We work with communities, civil society, government, researchers, technology companies and service providers.
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- Partner logo
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