The Impact of Gendered Disinformation Targeting Women
in Tanzania: The Case Study of General Election 2025
Overview
Gendered disinformation false, sexualized, misleading, or manipulated content aimed at discrediting women has become a critical digital rights issue in Tanzania. During the 2025 General Election period, online hostility toward women intensified, revealing how digital spaces can be weaponized to silence women’s voices and restrict their participation in public life.
Zaina Foundation conducted a six-month study to examine how gendered disinformation manifests in Tanzania, the platforms that facilitate it, and the consequences for women’s political engagement, emotional wellbeing, and democratic participation. The study also explored the adequacy of existing laws and policies and identified strategic interventions needed to protect women from digital harm.
Methodology
The research utilized a mixed-methods approach:
- Survey of 128 respondents, representing diverse genders, professions, and regions
- Social media monitoring across Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, and X
- Analysis focused on election-related discussions, public narratives, and patterns of harmful content targeting women
This combination provided a clear understanding of both individual experiences and structural digital dynamics.
Key Findings
- Gendered Disinformation Is Widespread and Normalized
All respondents (100%) reported encountering gendered disinformation during the study period. Harmful narratives were especially visible during political debates, where false stories, sexualized rumours, manipulated photos, and defamatory captions circulated widely.
Platforms most implicated were Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, and X, which acted both as amplifiers and long-term repositories of harmful content. Anonymous accounts played a significant role in accelerating attacks.
- Impacts on Women Are Severe and Far-Reaching
Women described deep emotional and psychological harm, including anxiety, shame, and fear of public exposure. Ninety-six percent of respondents said gendered disinformation discourages women from participating in public conversations or political processes. Many women withdraw from discussions, delete posts, or reduce their visibility online due to fear of becoming targets.
These attacks damage reputations, undermine professional opportunities, and silence women’s voices in political processes. For women in public life—journalists, activists, candidates—the stakes are even higher, often resulting in reduced public engagement or retreat from leadership aspirations.
- Politics Is the Most Affected Space
Over half of respondents (54%) identified politics as the domain where gendered disinformation is most intense. Women candidates and public commentators were subjected to narratives questioning their morality, competence, and family roles. These stereotypes reinforce structural gender inequalities and diminish women’s credibility in political arenas.
- Social Media Platforms Amplify Harmful Narratives
The study identified three dominant patterns:
- Sexualized rumours implying immorality or inappropriate advancement
- Manipulated or decontextualized images designed to provoke scandal
- Attacks on marital or family status to undermine leadership legitimacy
These tactics spread rapidly due to platform algorithms that prioritize sensational content.
- Legal and Policy Gaps Leave Women Unprotected
Although Tanzania has cyber laws, none explicitly recognize gendered disinformation or gender-targeted digital violence. Existing regulations focus on false information and cyberbullying but fail to account for the gendered nature of these harms. As a result, women lack clear reporting mechanisms, and authorities lack guidance on how to respond effectively. Perpetrators—especially anonymous users—operate with little accountability.
Implications for Democracy
Gendered disinformation poses a significant threat to democratic integrity. When women are intimidated into silence or forced out of public spaces, democratic participation becomes less inclusive, less representative, and less equitable. The suppression of women’s voices narrows political discourse and reinforces patriarchal norms that restrict women’s leadership.
Recommendations
Zaina Foundation recommends coordinated action at legal, institutional, platform, and community levels:
Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Tanzania should update cyber laws to explicitly recognize gendered disinformation and outline gender-responsive procedures for reporting, investigation, and redress.
Improve Platform Accountability: Social media companies should expand Kiswahili moderation, adopt policies addressing gendered content, and increase transparency in responding to harmful posts.
Build Women’s Digital Resilience: Women in politics, journalism, and activism need targeted support, including digital safety training, fact-checking skills, and guidance for responding to online attacks.
Promote Public Awareness: National digital literacy campaigns can help citizens identify harmful content and reduce the spread of rumours.
Establish a National Fact-Checking Coalition: A multi-stakeholder coalition—including journalists, civil society, academia, and government—could monitor emerging trends, verify questionable content, and support rapid responses during elections and other high-risk periods.
Strengthen Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: A coordinated approach is essential to addressing the complexity of digital gender-based violence. Efforts must involve government institutions, platforms, civil society organizations, and media actors.
Conclusion
Gendered disinformation is a pervasive digital threat in Tanzania that restricts women’s political participation, damages their emotional wellbeing, and undermines democratic processes. Without action, it will continue to widen gender gaps in leadership and digital engagement. This study provides evidence to guide legal reform, platform accountability, public education, and collaborative national strategies that safeguard women’s digital rights.
Zaina Foundation is grateful for APC’s support in making this research possible and remains committed to promoting safer digital spaces for women and girls across Tanzania. Here is full report The Impact of Gendered Disinformation Final