A decade has passed since the horrific ordeal of Zouhoura, a 16-year-old student whose gang rape was filmed and broadcast online, shocked the nation. Yet, in Chad, the digital landscape remains a hostile environment where women are frequently targeted by online predators and coordinated attacks.
Today, the simple act of sharing a photo or expressing an opinion on social media can trigger a wave of abuse. Human rights defenders are particularly vulnerable. Epiphanie Dionrang, who leads the Chad Women’s Rights League, has experienced this firsthand. Her advocacy has made her a target for relentless digital violence, highlighting a systemic issue that continues to silence female voices.
The reality of digital abuse
Cyberharassment is a daily reality for many Chadian women and girls. It is not merely an online nuisance but a form of violence that manifests through intimidation, sexist slurs, and hateful messaging across various platforms. Victims often face threatening phone calls and direct attempts to undermine their social standing.
The consequences of these attacks are devastating. Beyond the screen, victims suffer from profound psychological distress, including chronic anxiety, depression, and a total loss of self-esteem. The humiliation is often calculated, with private information weaponized to shame women into silence. This environment leads to self-censorship, where women withdraw from public life and civic participation to protect themselves.
A legal vacuum in Chad
While the perpetrators range from known acquaintances to anonymous accounts using fake profiles, the path to justice remains obstructed. It is critical to document every instance of abuse—saving screenshots, links, and dates—as evidence. However, there is a glaring failure in the national justice system regarding these crimes.
Despite the existence of a National Computer Security Agency and a specialized cybercrime unit, their impact is minimal. The lack of a comprehensive digital legal code means that many complaints lead nowhere. Sensitization is not enough; there is a desperate need for prevention and strict repression of these crimes. Currently, many victims remain silent, fearing that the authorities cannot or will not protect them.
Breaking the silence through art
To combat this culture of impunity, Chadian filmmaker Aché Ahmat Moustapha produced the documentary “Harcèlement 2.0, La résilience des Africaines connectées.” The film aims to shatter the taboos surrounding online violence and create safe spaces for victims to speak out and be heard.
The documentary serves as a powerful advocacy tool, encouraging women across Chad and the wider region to share their stories. By fostering a community where victims are believed rather than judged, activists hope to shift the societal narrative. While the struggle against digital harassment is far from over, the goal remains clear: ensuring that no woman in Chad is forced into silence by the threats of the digital world.
