About #Tech2EndGBV

Our story

In 2018, Samantha Barnard (Deputy Director, Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC) and Di Ruthenberg (Programme Coordinator, Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC) had conversations around the fact that NGO’s in the landscape were not fully understanding how to effectively use social media and the tech available for campaigning and advocacy to advance their cause.  There was also a lack of knowledge as to using digital properties responsibly.

Samantha and Di wanted to help society and organisations in the sector to advocate safely and ensure their online presence is safe and secure. This conversation since, transformed into a programme. 2019 saw the launch of the first #Tech2EndGBV TechClinics which equipped NGO’s in the Western Cape with building their Digital Campaigns to raise awareness around the issues of Gender-based-violence.

Our target audience

Women’s organisations, Shelter Movements, Youth-focused organisations, Men’s Organisations, Education institutions, Support Causes, Faith-based institutions, Social Workers, and Government Departments across Southern Africa.

TechClinics

Advocating against GBV is a collective social responsibility. #Tech2EndGBV  encourages NGO’s and their beneficiaries to use tech responsibly, support each other through social media platforms and share resources and knowledge. Leading up to #16DaysOfActivism we host practical and theoretical TechClinics to equip organisations with the following skills:

  • Trauma: GBV is a learned behaviour
  • Campaign Creation and Brainstorming 
  • Digitizing Campaigns
  • #IamRemarkable

#16DaysOfActivism

Digital Campaign: 25 November to 10 December

Advocating against GBV is a collective social responsibility and should be supported 365 days a year. #16Days is a concentrated time set aside internationally to focus all of society’s attention to the cause.

Throughout the period, #Tech2EndGBV will support Southern African NGOs that are campaigning by providing them with social media support.

We are a programme of Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC

Phambano Technology Development Centre is a purpose driven organisation with the aim of becoming known as the go to solution for technology capacity building in civil society organisations across Southern Africa.

Our technology development initiatives allow us to provide once off or ongoing support to organisations in need. The range of services offered by Phambano Technology Development Centre aim to increase the skills and capacity of organisations across Southern Africa, empowering organisations to reach more beneficiaries at a local and global level.

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How do tech tools advocate against gender-based violence?

If you follow groups on social media you will see how tech brings people together, helps them build capacity in advocacy by sharing of resources, stories and helplines .
The internet is a phenomenal tool to connect and share expertise and resources or form partnerships, however, if you do not protect yourself and your information it can very quickly turn into a dangerous and unfriendly space. Safety online is of the utmost importance for all but especially so for those who are being abused. Often, people who are cyber-stalked or spied on online by their partners & perpetrators, don’t know that this is taking place until it is too late. Abusive partners may use spyware software to monitor their victims movements, conversations and online activities on either a computer or mobile device for example. The #Tech2EndGBV programme has been designed to not only warn society of the dangers but to also give them practical solutions.

How can people get involved in the campaign?

#Tech2EndGBV is available on social media platforms for people to engage and share posts so that the message can reach more people. People are free to start discussions or request resources or assistance and also share their resources.
We have also created a comprehensive list of 16 Days of Activism Hashtags for Advocacy/Awareness posts on social media that other organisations can use as prompts and to spark their creativity with posts.

We are also hoping that the resources and caution tips we share will encourage people who are in situations of GBV to seek help or be able to identify persons who need help and offer them resources.

Tech also gives us access to helplines and emergency numbers.

Some women stay in abusive situations because there is no other way for them, whether its dependency on a job with an abusive boss or stay at home mother because there are kids who need her. There is also the shame element attached of having to go into a shelter because there is no other place to take refuge. Some women don’t have workplace skills so are trapped financially. With all of the above, often the common denominator is that women have and use tech devices – and organisations like ourselves assist with digital literacy programmes etc to advance their skills, coping techniques, safety awareness and more.

Can we help your NPO?


Does your organisation need capacity building to address the use of technology to combat gender-based violence and/or safety online?

Contact the #Tech2EndGBV Team on themba@phambano.org.za for more information.

Let us help you create digital campaigns against GBV.

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