By Catherine Alumando, Mwanza
“I was heavily bullied online the moment I announced that I was contesting for a parliamentary seat in the 16 September 2025 General Election.”
These are the words of Maureen Chifundo Nseula, the recently-elected Member of Parliament for Mwanza West.
One can just imagine the trauma as this was the very time she was in mourning since she had lost her mother, Joyce Chitsulo, who had served as MP for the same constituency.
She only opened up to disclose this a month after her mother’s passing.
“What hurt me most was that some people went as far as accusing me of killing my own mother just to take her position. The most disappointing part was that even some women joined in the bullying,” she said.
Across Malawi, digital bullying has become so common to such an extent that some people regard it as normal, Nseula added. However, the emotional toll it takes on those targeted is real and painful.
As the country continues to observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, under the theme “Unite to End Digital Gender-Based Violence in Malawi,” Nseula’s story sheds light on the trauma many women and girls face in online spaces.
Many would recall how urban artist Tuno almost ditched social media as she also fell victim to cyber bullying when some of the people in digital spaces were insulting and body-shaming her. But like a phoenix, she rose against the tide and has never looked back.
According to the UN Regional Information Centre, between 16 and 58 percent of women and girls globally have experienced violence online.
Deputy publicist for the Malawi Police Service, Alfred Chimthere, reported that in the first six months of 2025, police recorded 1,130 cases of Gender-Based Violence.
He added that online GBV cases have also been reported, including those related to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos, online stalking and technology harassment.
“We encourage victims to report these incidents, as the police’s forensics and cybercrime unit are looking into such cases,” said Chimthere.
Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) Chairperson, Maggie Kathewera Banda, agrees that online GBV is pushing many women away from leadership roles.
She believes digital abuse discourages women from speaking out on issues that affect their lives.
“Some women even resign from political positions because of the abuse. Others give up before they even start, after seeing how their colleagues are treated online,” she said.
Kathewera Banda emphasised the need for stronger collaboration with technology companies to introduce safety measures and educate users on the dangers of online GBV.
She believes this will help Malawi create safer digital spaces for women and girls.
Despite all the hate speech and harassment she faced, Nseula refused to give up and ultimately won the parliamentary seat.
She encourages other women to stay focused despite online attacks.
“Women must rise above the bullies and concentrate on their goals so they can reach their full potential,” she said.
Recently, Chairperson for the Malawi Electoral Commission, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, revealed that out of the 228 seats in the national assembly, only 48 were won by women, representing just 21 percent of the legislature in the September elections.
“This figure falls short of the goal of gender equality, revealing the need to address the factors that hinder women’s ability to thrive in governance roles,” said Justice Mtalimanja.
Marking this year’s 16 Days of Activism observation, Minister of Gender Mary Navitcha said the government is working to strengthen protection for women online as digital platforms have seamingly become spaces for abuse, harassment, and exploitation at an alarming rate.
“This harmful online behaviour now demands urgent and coordinated action from the government, communities, and technology stakeholders,” said Navitcha.
Global Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
Ensuring safer digital spaces is therefore not only a human rights issue but also a commitment to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
