Story perspectives

Ethiopian Activists Face Online Threats Amid Gender Violence Crisis

3/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Yordanos Bezabih and Lella Misikir, Ethiopian women's rights activists, face severe online threats, including doxing and deepfake abuse, prompting many to flee.
Global research finds up to 60% of women experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence, a pattern now normalized in Ethiopia.
Activists say the government fails to address online harassment, pushing women out of public spaces.
Campaigns like "My Whistle, My Voice" exist, but public tolerance of abuse remains dismissive.

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Story summary

Yordanos Bezabih and Lella Misikir, Ethiopian women's rights activists, face severe online threats, including doxing and deepfake abuse, prompting many to flee.
Global research finds up to 60% of women experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence, a pattern now normalized in Ethiopia.
Activists say the government fails to address online harassment, pushing women out of public spaces.
Campaigns like "My Whistle, My Voice" exist, but public tolerance of abuse remains dismissive.