No room for online GBV, Lusaka, Mvurya say

The government is committed to eradicate Technologically Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV), Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said.

Speaking in Bungoma County, Mvurya, who is the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, noted that the government has prioritised building safer online environments specifically for school going children.

To achieve this, the CS said, coordinated action across institutions, communities and national agencies is required.

Accompanying Mvurya was Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka who jointly opened a high-level national forum at Kibabii University.

The conference, which drew senior government officials, university leadership, gender-rights advocates, researchers and development partners, marked one of the strongest national calls yet to confront harassment, cyberbullying, impersonation, and online exploitation targeting students, especially young women in universities and TVET institutions.

Governor Lusaka, delivering the opening keynote address, warned that digital platforms are increasingly becoming spaces of abuse, urging universities and TVETs to take the lead in research, innovation, digital safety tools, and stronger reporting systems to safeguard students.

“Digital spaces must be safe for all, especially our young women. Universities and TVETs should champion research, innovation, and stronger reporting systems. As Bungoma County, we remain fully committed to supporting national efforts to end all forms of GBV both online and offline,” Lusaka said.

The conference will host expert panels, policy dialogues, student innovation showcases and technical workshops,all aimed at shaping a national roadmap to end technology-facilitated gender violence.

Governor Lusaka reaffirmed Bungoma County’s commitment to support national and institutional efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, both online and offline.