In Senegal, over six out of ten women report being targeted by gendered misinformation campaigns, according to a recent study. These targeted attacks focus not on their professional or political views, but on deeply personal aspects such as their bodies, sexuality, and private lives. The findings highlight a disturbing trend where false narratives are weaponized to silence women in public discourse.
how gendered misinformation differs from general disinformation
While traditional disinformation often targets men with fabricated claims about politics, economics, or diplomacy, gendered misinformation takes a far more insidious approach. Instead of challenging ideas, it attacks the personhood of women—undermining their credibility through false accusations of immorality, intimate relationships, or foreign funding.
“This isn’t about debating policies or leadership,” explains a researcher involved in the study. “It’s about erasing women from public debate by making them appear unfit, untrustworthy, or even dangerous based on nothing but fabricated narratives.”
the infamous “72-hour” phenomenon in Senegal
Senegalese women describe a particularly brutal tactic known locally as the “72-hour” phenomenon. During this period, social media users systematically dig into a woman’s personal life—not to uncover truth, but to distort it. Photoshopped images, false timelines, and outright lies are weaponized to portray targeted women as morally corrupt.
“The goal is clear: to intimidate, humiliate, and ultimately push women out of digital spaces,” says the researcher. While men in public life may also face online harassment, the gendered nature of these attacks—especially when aimed at women politicians, journalists, or activists—is uniquely violent and systematic.
common narratives used to discredit women
Women in leadership positions are often accused of securing their roles through sexual favors. Journalists are falsely labeled as foreign agents. Activists are smeared as Western puppets. The pattern is consistent: regardless of their actual contributions, their legitimacy is attacked through personal, not professional, accusations.
This strategy has a chilling effect. Many women interviewed for the study admitted to self-censoring online or withdrawing entirely from social media. “When women leave digital platforms, they’re not just stepping back from social media—they’re stepping back from public life,” warns the researcher.
who is behind these campaigns?
The study reveals that most perpetrators are men aged 17 to 45, often within the same country as their targets. While the majority are male, a small but notable number of women are also involved, described in the report as “patriarchal women” who participate in reinforcing gendered stereotypes.
Another critical finding: social media platforms are ill-equipped to handle this issue. Many false narratives are spread in local languages like Wolof, yet reporting tools are designed primarily for Western contexts. This creates a dangerous gap where harmful content evades moderation.
a call for legal recognition and systemic change
The report urges governments in Senegal and neighboring countries to formally recognize gendered online violence as a form of gender-based violence—on par with sexual violence, domestic abuse, and femicide. Such recognition would enable:
- Development of specific laws to prosecute digital gender-based violence
- Training for law enforcement to handle online abuse complaints
- Judicial education to ensure fair treatment in courts
- Digital literacy and fact-checking programs to empower women
“This isn’t a separate issue,” emphasizes the researcher. “It’s the same violence women face in homes and streets—now amplified online. Until we treat it with the same urgency, the cycle will continue.”
