Feme Talk: Mtaa Wangu unveils weekly podcast on tech-fueled gender violence

Nakuru Mtaa Wangu has officially launched Feme Talk, a podcast dedicated to raising awareness about Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), in a move aimed at educating the public, amplifying survivors' voices and promoting safer digital spaces for women and girls.

The podcast, hosted by Purity Kinuthia, was launched on Tuesday by the Mtaa Wangu editorial team alongside staff from Nation Media Group. The initiative seeks to address the growing prevalence of online abuse by creating a platform where experts, survivors and members of the public can openly discuss the challenges posed by technology-facilitated violence and the solutions available to victims.

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence refers to violence committed, assisted, aggravated or amplified through the use of digital technologies.

Some forms of TFGVB includes cyberbullying, cyberstalking, online sexual harassment, impersonation, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, doxing, sextortion, AI-generated deepfakes and digital surveillance.

As internet access and social media use continue to expand, these forms of abuse have become increasingly common, particularly among women and girls.

Speaking during the launch, the Mtaa Wangu Editor and project lead Joseph Openda said the podcast was developed to bridge the information gap surrounding TFGBV by providing reliable, practical and survivor-centred information.

“The programme will simplify complex issues surrounding online abuse while helping audiences understand how to identify digital violence, protect themselves online and seek help when affected,” Openda said.

He noted, women journalists, women in politics and women living in informal settlements are among those most vulnerable to technology-facilitated violence. Many experience intimidation, reputational damage, emotional distress and exclusion from online spaces, yet very few cases are formally reported due to fear, stigma and limited awareness of available reporting mechanisms.

Expounding more on the project he noted through weekly episodes running each Wednesday, Feme Talk will feature conversations with survivors of online abuse, digital safety experts, lawyers, journalists, mental health practitioners, gender advocates and policymakers.

These discussions will provide practical digital safety tips, explain legal protections available to victims and highlight the psychosocial support systems that exist for those affected by online violence.

As part of the project, Nakuru Mtaa Wangu will conduct pre- and post-podcast community surveys to assess public understanding of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and measure changes in knowledge after audiences engage with the podcast.

The findings will also help shape future episodes by identifying topics that resonate most with residents.

Episodes will be published on its website and social media pages, making the content accessible to audiences across Nakuru County and beyond.

The launch of Feme Talk reflects Nation Media Group's commitment, through its hyperlocal platform Mtaa Wangu, to using journalism as a tool for education, advocacy and social change.

 As technology continues to shape everyday life, the podcast hopes to foster informed conversations that empower communities, strengthen digital resilience and contribute to the fight against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Kenya.

The project is being funded by the European Union represented by DW Akademie.