Kutlwano B. L. Mokgwathi

This book explores gender-based violence in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on male violence against women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community. It examines how women in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, particularly in South Africa, utilize media technologies to mobilize, organize, raise political awareness, and amplify protests. Key to this discussion are hashtags such as #MenAreTrash, #AmINext, and #SayHerName, which shed light on various forms of violence, including intimate partner violence, community violence, and state violence. The book situates these practices within the historical contexts of colonialism and apartheid, framing violence as a communicative act that shapes everyday life in the region. It further links the practices of digital activism to broader traditions of social movements and feminist struggles. In agreement with African feminists, it posits that feminism on the continent is an action-oriented practice that arises from women’s collective efforts toward liberation. This viewpoint lays the groundwork for understanding digital Black feminism in Southern Africa as part of a larger trajectory of cyberfeminism and Black feminist theory. By utilizing the term Africana, the book stresses the connections between Africa and the African diaspora, emphasizing the significance of transnational linkages in ongoing struggles for liberation. The book explores the persistence of male violence and proposes practical solutions aimed at guiding policy development and promoting societal reform. As such, it represents a significant contribution to feminist scholarship and enriches the body of feminist literature from the SADC region by incorporating the advancements in media technologies in the pursuit of social justice.