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Super Size Me Africa Zimbabwe (SSMAZ) has officially launched its 16 Days of Digital Safety & Empowerment Campaign, opening the annual global commemoration period with a strong call for collective action against the rising threat of online Gender-Based Violence. The organisation, which champions women’s empowerment and body-positivity, began its intensive public engagement activities on November 26, marking the first of several digital outreach initiatives scheduled to run until December 10.
Aligned with the international theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” the campaign aims to equip Zimbabweans with practical tools to protect themselves in an increasingly hostile digital environment. SSMAZ reported an active and enthusiastic response from citizens following the Day 1 rollout, which focused on strengthening personal digital security through the use of powerful passwords. The organisation conducted an information dissemination session via WhatsApp, where participants received guidance on creating super strong passwords designed to withstand common cyber threats such as account hacking, impersonation and phishing.
The WhatsApp session, which attracted diverse participants, forms part of SSMAZ’s strategy to use accessible and widely used platforms to amplify safety messages. In addition to WhatsApp, the organisation has launched campaign content across all major social media platforms, signalling its intention to reach as many users as possible throughout the 16 days.
SSMAZ is also preparing for a series of major public engagements intended to raise awareness and deepen national conversations around digital abuse. On Friday, November 28, the organisation will host a Facebook Live panel featuring experts discussing the current landscape of digital abuse, how it manifests and its growing impact on women and girls. The discussion is expected to explore practical safety solutions, survivor support systems and the responsibilities of digital platforms in curbing online harm.
This will be followed by a WhatsApp-based legal Q&A session on Sunday, November 30, focusing on citizens’ rights under the Cyber and Data Protection Act. The session will provide an opportunity for the public to interact directly with legal experts, ask questions and gain clarity on digital rights, legal recourse and reporting mechanisms.
Founder of SSMAZ, Alice Chinya, emphasised the urgency of immediate empowerment, noting that waiting for abuse to occur is no longer an option in the current digital climate. She said the organisation’s prompt and energetic engagement with citizens on Day 1 highlights the pressing need for accessible tools that promote online safety. Chinya encouraged media organisations to continue amplifying the campaign, stressing that a united national effort is essential to transform vulnerability into digital resilience.