Accra: The Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Ghana, in partnership with the University of Oxford Faculty of Law, has called for the enactment of legislation to address Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and respond effectively to emerging digital threats.
According to Ghana News Agency, LAWA Ghana and the University of Oxford have advocated for either the creation of new laws or the amendment of existing ones to specifically tackle issues such as deepfake abuse, online impersonation, and synthetic sexual content. The organisations emphasized the need for Ghana's legal system to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The appeal was voiced during a stakeholder engagement session in Accra, themed 'Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in the Age of AI: Legal and Policy Pathways for Ghana.' Professor Shazia Choudhry and Aincre Maame-Fosua Evans from the University of Oxford presented research on TFGBV, highlighting the harmful effects of deepfake and image-based sexual abuse on women and children.
Professor Choudhry explained that 98 percent of deepfake incidents target women, warning that inaction could deter women's participation in public domains such as politics and media due to stigma and social repercussions. She highlighted the economic implications for victims and the state, citing costs related to legal actions, content removal, mental health support, and loss of productivity.
Maame-Fosua Evans discussed doxxing, the release of private information online without consent, and its potential for harassment and abuse. She emphasized the necessity for adequate legal protection to safeguard Ghanaian women against such risks.
Madam Fitnat Adjetey, representing LAWA Ghana, acknowledged the potential for technology to be weaponised against women and girls. Despite Ghana's advancements in combatting violence against women, she noted that current legal frameworks do not sufficiently address AI-enabled abuses. Citing various existing laws, she argued for either amendments or new legislation to effectively combat TFGBV.
The workshop participants recommended developing precise legal definitions for TFGBV-related offences, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and increasing public awareness to counteract the growing threat.