France has announced a $4.3 million grant to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women across Africa and the Middle East. The funding, provided through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is aimed at supporting feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in combating digital forms of violence, including cyberstalking and image-based abuse.
This initiative is part of the Support Fund for Feminist Organisations and is designed to finance national, international, and French CSO consortia over a three- to four-year period. Funded groups must operate in at least four countries, with three being among the most vulnerable, such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Lebanon. The effort targets various forms of TFGBV, such as sextortion, cyberstalking, and online harassment, which have deterred many women from engaging in digital public spaces. The United Nations reports that 90% of African women internet users have experienced online violence.
The AFD funding will support efforts in policy advocacy, capacity-building, and the development of safer digital environments. It will also encourage feminist-led innovation and prioritize local leadership in project implementation. Applications for the grant are open until August 31, 2025.
This initiative aligns with France’s broader feminist foreign policy, which aims to allocate 75% of its bilateral aid to projects advancing gender equality by the end of 2025. The selected CSO consortium will be responsible for managing disbursements, facilitating knowledge sharing across regions, and ensuring that survivors’ perspectives are central to the fight against TFGBV. Full application details are available on the AFD website.
