The Mental Health Impacts of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence on Tunisian Women

Abstract

Using quantitative and qualitative research, this article advances an empirical examination of the pervasiveness and impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in Tunisia. We identify that TFGBV can affect women of any demographic, including women without internet access, and all forms of TFGBV can potentially harm women's mental health and well-being. The article advances policy recommendations ensuring industry and social media providers enforce safeguards, promoting educational efforts on safe internet use and changing behaviors of potential perpetrators, and balancing raising awareness of existing reporting challenges with identifying and addressing current gaps in response mechanisms to reported violence.