A new study, conducted by pan-African organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), warns of an alarming surge in the prevalence of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based violence, with 67 percent of respondents being victims of at least one or multiple forms of digital violence.

Online

Released on International Human Rights Day, the research exposes deep systemic failures, weak accountability, and unsafe online spaces driving a rapidly escalating epidemic across Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

PIN recognises that this gap limits both the understanding of TFGBV and the development of effective solutions. In response, this study adopts a survivor-centred approach that reframes how TFGBV is researched, discussed, and addressed. By prioritising survivors’ perspectives, the research uncovers the emotional, social, and systemic dimensions of digital violence that formal reports and statistics often obscure. It also interrogates how survivors navigate reporting systems, access justice, and play an informed role in digital spaces that are frequently hostile or unsafe.

A key finding of the study is that young people are disproportionately affected, with those aged 18–34 constituting the vast majority of survivors. Most incidents of TFGBV occurred on Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter), underscoring how mainstream social media platforms continue to function as structurally unsafe spaces for many users—particularly women, activists, and advocates.

“Victims’ experiences range from sexual harassment, threats, and misogynistic attacks to severe violations such as stalking, non-consensual image sharing, hacking, sextortion, and identity-based harassment,” the report notes. “Personal testimonies reveal profound emotional, psychological, and reputational harm.”

The study also highlights that formal systems such as the police, employers, and public institutions, remain underutilised, largely due to fear, mistrust, or an expectation of inaction. While the findings expose wide-ranging gaps across platforms, institutions, and legal frameworks, they also highlight survivors’ resilience and their continued efforts to seek safer digital environments.

In light of these findings, PIN calls for urgent action to make online spaces safer for everyone, in line with this year’s Human Rights Day theme, “Human Rights, our everyday essentials.” Addressing these systemic gaps is critical to advancing democratic engagement, promoting media pluralism, fostering digital inclusion, and achieving gender equality across Africa.

Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer CKay has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with his breakout hit Love Nwantiti, making him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to do so.

Ckay

The rise of the emotional Afrobeats anthem

Originally an early hit when it dropped in 2019, “Love Nwantiti” (released on CKay’s EP – CKay the First) began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. The song broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as “Emo-Afrobeats,” fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.

The song, which translates to “sweet gentle love” in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fueled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound. The song remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.

A solo milestone, a global legacy

Love Nwantiti’s sustained global appeal is undeniable: in the last 28 days alone, listeners from the United States , India,, Indonesia,  Brazil , and the United Kingdom  continue to press play, proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.

This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.

CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.

“Love Nwantiti” is more than a viral hit; it is a cultural reset. Demonstrating the rich storytelling and emotional depth of his sound, CKay didn’t just break borders, he built a powerful bridge for the global crossover of authentic African music, proving its resonance on the global stage.

CKay’s success is a signal for the future of African music on the global stage. Let us know if you’d like more on CKay’s journey or the song’s global streaming story.

The Global South Alliance, a coalition of 26 digital rights organizations, launched today the second edition of the “Datafication and Democracy Fund” on December 9.

Global South Alliance

The Fund will provide more US$ 72,000 to support research and advocacy projects focused on datafication and democracy to be implemented in 2026.

The Datafication and Democracy Fund was launched during the fourth edition of the Data Privacy Global Conference, organized in São Paulo, Brazil. The Global South Alliance is jointly managed by Data Privacy Brasil, Aapti Institute, and Paradigm Initiative.

The members are Asociación por los Derechos Civiles, Bolo Bhi, Center for Communication and Governance, CIPESA, Derechos Digitales, Digital Rights Foundation, Dukingire Isi Yacu, Internet Bolivia, Pollicy, Research ICT Africa, Fundación Multitudes, InternetLab, Thraets, Jokkolabs Banjul, Aláfia Lab, Centre for Policy Alternatives, KICTANET, Tech Global Institute, Freedom Forum, TEDIC, Digital Access, Center for AI and Tech Innovation for Democracy and Masaar.

The call for proposals is open to non-profit, non-governmental organizations based in the Global South working on digital rights and related public policy issues. Previously supported organizations have addressed topics such as online child protection, data governance in electoral processes, biometric technologies in stadiums and large events, mandatory biometric data collection of migrants, and discriminatory surveillance and datafication practices.

According to the launch announcement, the Datafication and Democracy Fund “aims to finance research and public policy analysis projects that address critical questions arising from the impact of datafication on democracy.” The Alliance emphasizes that “datafication is a deep and complex process of social transformation: it shapes the provision of public services mediated by information technologies, the emergence of digital public infrastructures, the data-driven nature of elections, the reconfiguration of markets and platforms, and many aspects of civic life. Beyond deliberative processes and elections, datafication exacerbates democratic challenges such as transparency, due process, and respect for citizens’ autonomy.”

Selected applicants will receive grants of up to US$ 8,000 to support their research projects. Depending on the proposals submitted, between 8 and 12 projects will be funded. All funded projects must be carried out during 2026.

Applicants are required to submit:

1. A one-page cover letter outlining the organization’s background, experience, and motivation for participating in the research program;

2. A proposal of up to five pages detailing the topic, scope, methodology, expected results, and relevance of the project to digital rights and democracy in the Global South;

3. A detailed budget, not exceeding US$ 8,000, specifying how resources will be allocated across the proposed project’s components.

Applications must be submitted in English by January 30th 2026, through the designated online form.