The Dark Reality of Non-Consensual Filming: Women Targeted in Kenya and Ghana

Fri Mar 27 2026 12:43:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A disturbing trend has emerged where women in Kenya and Ghana are secretly filmed and ridiculed online, raising issues of consent and victim-shaming.

In a troubling incident highlighted by Joy Kalekye, women in Kenya and Ghana have become victims of hidden-camera filming without consent. These videos, posted online, show men approaching women and filming their reactions, often leading to widespread ridicule and harassment of the women involved. Activists are calling for action against these practices while emphasizing the need to hold male perpetrators accountable rather than blaming the victims.

On Valentine's Day, Joy Kalekye received a startling call from a friend urging her to check social media. To her shock, a video of her had been posted without her knowledge, showing her standing by the roadside in Nairobi, Kenya, as a man approaches her and comments on her appearance. Initially unaware of the recording, she was devastated to learn it had been widely shared and ridiculed online.

Kalekye's experience is part of a broader disturbing trend where men use hidden cameras to film interactions with women without their consent, leading to victims being blamed and harassed online. These videos, typically capturing men making unsolicited advances on women, often garner several million views, perpetuating a culture of objectification.

Activists in both Kenya and Ghana have condemned this practice and urged authorities to take action against perpetrators like Vladislav Liulkov, a man referenced in these recordings. While some video creators profit from the virality of these clips, detractors argue it reinforces harmful gender stereotypes and shifts the blame from the offenders to the victims.

Kalekye described the experience of being mocked online as similar to unwanted celebrity, expressing frustration at how society chooses to scrutinize the women instead of the inappropriate behavior of men. Brenda Yambo, a legal counsel at the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya, echoed concerns that such victim-shaming deters women from coming forward about their experiences.

In her case, after the clip went viral, Kalekye received hurtful comments alleging her complicity. This only adds to the challenge of addressing issues surrounding consent, as online discussions often ignore the core violation experienced by these women.

Despite the outrage and calls for accountability, the videos continue to circulate, fueled by social media platforms and users like Kelvin Karume, who have reposted the content for personal gain. His actions highlight the urgent need for awareness against such practices, urging greater respect for the rights and dignity of women.

In conclusion, the incidents in Kenya and Ghana are a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of consent in the digital age, where women's autonomy can be undermined by hidden cameras and public scrutiny. Advocates are calling for a societal shift in how these discussions are framed, insisting on responsibility for the real perpetrators rather than the victims.