Technology-facilitated gender-based violence against women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

BACKGROUND: Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is extension of existing power dynamics and patriarchal systems that continue to oppress and marginalize women and girls. However, the mechanisms through which technology enables such violence and its effects on victims remain underexplored, particularly in the context of sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to examine how technology facilitates gender-based violence and to explore its impact on women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological guidance for scoping reviews and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist for standardized reporting. The literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including EBSCO, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, other source including Google Scholar, and AJOL. Eligibility criteria were defined using the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework. Thematic analysis was employed to identify and organize emerging concepts and themes. Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti version 7.5.4 and the results were presented in tables, narrative descriptions, and diagrams. RESULT: From a total of 344 articles identified through databases and other sources, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The review finding shows how technologies enable gender-based violence. These include the anonymity of perpetrators and the increased accessibility of victims, coercive control through digital surveillance, the viral spread of harmful content leading to public shaming, and specific features of digital platforms that facilitate abuse. Another finding was effect of technology facilitates gender-based violence (TFGBV)on victims. Reported effect include psychological harm, negative effects on academic and educational performance., social and reputational damage, as well as barriers to seeking help and long-term trajectories like depression and poor academic performance. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that technology plays a substantial role in facilitating gender-based violence, and the impact on victims is significant. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/47ZB8).