Cyber Harassment and Feminist Activism in Rwanda: A Twitter Analysis

This research explored how online abuse on Twitter affects feminist activism in Rwanda. It focused on the emotional, social, and strategic challenges that activists face, as well as the ways they stay strong and protect themselves while continuing their work. With more than 40% of the population using the internet by 2024, Rwanda’s digital growth has made social media, especially Twitter, an important space for feminist advocacy. Activists use the platform to speak out against gender inequality, challenge harmful norms, and connect with others. But this online visibility also exposes them to different forms of cyber harassment, such as trolling, bullying, sexual harassment, stalking, and doxxing, where personal information is shared to intimidate them. This phenomenological study employed qualitative methods to deeply explore how cyber harassment impacts feminist activists in Rwanda, focusing on their lived experiences within digital spaces, particularly Twitter. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with feminist activists, enabling them to articulate their personal encounters with online abuse in their own words. Through thematic analysis, the study identified recurring patterns and themes across participants’ narratives, revealing the forms, emotional toll, and coping strategies associated with cyber harassment, as well as its broader implications for feminist advocacy in Rwanda’s unique socio-cultural context. The findings reveal that participants experienced various forms of online abuse, including trolling, bullying, sexual harassment, stalking, and doxxing. These attacks had serious emotional effects, with many activists expressing feelings of powerlessness, anxiety, and stress. Socially, the harassment often led to isolation and weakened trust within activist communities. Some activists reduced their presence on Twitter to protect themselves, which limited their ability to engage in feminist discussions and      mobilise support online. Despite these challenges, the activists remained committed to their work. They adopted different coping strategies such as blocking abusers, reporting harmful accounts, and turning to feminist networks for emotional and practical support. These findings highlight the urgent need for digital safety training and stronger collaboration among feminist groups, social media platforms, and policymakers to build safer online spaces that allow feminist voices in Rwanda to thrive.