From 25 November to 10 December 2025, The Salvation Army Uganda joined the global 16 Days of Activism to confront digital violence against women and girls: misogynistic harassment, doxxing, non-consensual image sharing, deepfakes, stalking, extortion, and other technology-facilitated abuse. The campaign culminated in an interview between the Territory’s PRO and the International Secretaries for Africa, Commissioners Keith and Yvonne Conrad, underscoring the Army’s commitment to prevention, survivor-centred response, and advocacy across Uganda. (UN Women)
Why this matters
Digital abuse is not “just online.” It silences women’s voices, harms well-being, and often escalates to offline threats and attacks especially against journalists, activists, and public figures. Recent global research highlights how widespread technology-facilitated violence has become and how frequently it spills into real-world harm. (UN Women)
What The Salvation Army stands for
The Salvation Army’s international position rejects sexism and domestic abuse, affirming the equal dignity of women and men and calling the movement to protect, support, and empower survivors. These positions approved at International Headquarters guide our ministries, safeguarding, and public witness. (Salvation Army)
What we did during the 16 Days
- Awareness & prayer: Territory-wide devotionals and messages aligned with the global call to end gender-based violence. (Salvation Army)
- Digital-safety focus: Corps and youth groups emphasised practical steps—privacy settings, two-factor authentication, secure reporting, and healthy online behaviour—framed as discipleship and neighbour-love. (UN Women)
- Public engagement: Social content and media briefings amplified the 2025 theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” (UN Women)
- Leadership spotlight: The closing interview with the International Secretaries for Africa and the TSA Uganda PRO highlighted three priorities for the year ahead:
- integrating digital-safety teaching into women’s ministries and youth discipleship,
- strengthening survivor-centred referral pathways and safeguarding, and
- advocating with partners for safer platforms and accountability. (Salvation Army)
Why the public should care
- It affects families and communities: Technology-facilitated abuse targets girls, mothers, students, and workers—eroding trust, mental health, education, and livelihoods. (UN Women)
- Online harm becomes offline harm: Many women who face digital abuse later face stalking, threats, or physical attacks; protecting women online protects them in life. (AP News)
- It undermines civic life: Silencing women’s voices damages journalism, leadership, and public participation. (The Guardian)
How you can help—today
- Learn and share the basics of digital safety;
- Refuse to forward harmful content;
- Report abuse on platforms and to relevant authorities;
- Support survivors with non-judgmental listening and referrals;
- Back organisations improving platform safety;
- Connect with your local corps for training and pastoral care.
References
- UN Women — 16 Days (overview & 2025 theme). https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/16-days-of-activism ; https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/theme (UN Women)
- UN Women — Digital abuse FAQs; AI-amplified online abuse. https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/faqs/digital-abuse-trolling-stalking-and-other-forms-of-technology-facilitated-violence-against-women ; https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/faqs/ai-powered-online-abuse-how-ai-is-amplifying-violence-against-women-and-what-can-stop-it (UN Women)
- UN Women & partners — reporting on online abuse leading to offline harm. https://apnews.com/article/66c38bb80b79d64be18b477f209c2db0 (AP News)
- The Salvation Army — International Positional Statements (Sexism; Domestic Abuse). https://www.salvationarmy.org/resources/international-positional-statement-sexism ; https://www.salvationarmy.org/resources/international-positional-statement-domestic-abuse ; https://www.salvationarmy.org/moral-and-social-issues (Salvation Army)
- The Salvation Army ISJC — 16 Days of Activism resource page. https://www.salvationarmy.org/isjc/16Days (Salvation Army)
- IHQ Leadership — International Secretaries for Africa (Commissioners Keith & Yvonne Conrad). https://www.salvationarmy.org/leadership ; Africa Zone overview. https://wm4.salvationarmy.org/ihq/africa (Salvation Army)
