Digital spaces and gender identities: Social media experiences in Namibia and Zimbabwe

This study examines the experiences of transgender women in Namibia and Zimbabwe in their use of social media, highlighting social media’s dual role in shaping well-being. While platforms such as Facebook, X and WhatsApp enable visibility, identity expression, community building and activism, they also expose users to harassment, cyberbullying and exclusion for transgender women. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with thirteen transgender women across the two countries and analysed using thematic and content approaches. Findings reveal that social media functions both as sites of empowerment and connection and as a space where broader societal biases and tensions surrounding gender nonconformity are reproduced. These dynamics underscore the need for inclusive and enforceable digital policies, greater platform accountability and strengthened community support. By focusing on the southern African context, the study contributes to debates on media representation, social justice and the protection of transgender rights, highlighting the intersection of digital spaces, identity and human rights.