Humanity stands at a crossroads where technological advancements are rigorously used as a tool to escalate violence against women and suppress their civic, political, and social empowerment. While AI-ridden developments are surely closing many disparities in terms of citizens` access to resources, including access to quality education, health, and financial services, we must acknowledge the chilling rise of technology-facilitated violence against women and its impediments to women`s democratic participation.
The annual 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, led by UN Women, from 25 November to 10 December, marked a prime time for women`s rights movements across the world and regional grassroots initiatives. Women’s empowerment advocates join efforts and build momentum to call for action targeting a specific working theme each year. The topic under the lens is no surprise, as it is one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls.1
The swift progress of digital technologies has revolutionized societies worldwide, providing immense opportunities to empower women and girls, close structural disparities, and promote gender equality. Nonetheless, this digital revolution also brings notable challenges that could jeopardize women’s rights and well-being. The trends also show that violence in virtual spaces frequently transitions to real life if online harassment is not monitored, reported, and criminalized. The connection between online and offline violence highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive measures to address gender-based violence across all areas. Therefore, 16 Days of Activism (also known as the UNITE campaign) advocated for #NoExcuse for online violence last year.
Digital technologies should promote democratic governance, foster gender-sensitive public discourse, and create opportunities for women to actively participate in civic, economic, and political life. While digitalization provides valuable opportunities to advance women’s rights, it also requires holistic strategies to manage the associated risks and challenges. Ensuring women’s meaningful involvement in the digital space, protecting their rights, and bridging the digital gap are crucial steps toward achieving a fair and inclusive digital future for everyone.
To better understand the urgency of addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence, let`s look at the global figures presented by UN Women. Across Arab States, 60% of women who use the internet have encountered online violence. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, research conducted in 12 countries revealed that over half of women aged 18 and older have faced some form of technology-enabled abuse during their lifetime. The status quo is no different in Sub-Saharan Africa too: a study covering five countries indicated that 28 percent of women have experienced online violence. In Europe and the USA, a survey of women aged 18 to 55 in Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA found that 23 percent reported experiencing at least one incident of online abuse or harassment.2
Women human rights defenders and journalists are on the frontline who are targeted through this virtual form of a battlefield. As we recently concluded World Press Freedom Day 2026 on May 3rd, Reporters Without Borders revealed an alarming conclusion: over the last 25 years, press freedom has never been lower, as journalism is increasingly criminalized on a global scale. Regrettably, UN Women`s chilling statistics complement this reality from a gender specific lens at the rate of violence media professionals face in these turbulent times. “70% of women human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and media workers have experienced violence in the course of their work”.3 What is further striking is that 42% of the survey participants also acknowledged that they have been subject to offline attacks, physical abuse, and harassment in connection with the systemic online violence. This rate is shocking, having doubled compared to UNESCO’s 2022 rankings.
Moreover, there is increasing hesitancy to report abuse to press freedom organizations due to concerns that publicizing such cases might trigger even more hostility. The authorities’ and social media platforms’ insufficient responses have further deterred journalists from speaking out. Additionally, many journalists have migrated to better regulated online media platforms, leaving behind X and Facebook, where abuse remains prevalent, in search of safer, more controlled spaces. The limited presence of women in the leadership roles involved in the conception, design, development, and utilization of digital technologies leads to biases embedded in algorithms, which can cause inaccuracies and reinforce damaging stereotypes. This underrepresentation of women in decision-making processes sustains gender inequalities and obstructs the development of inclusive digital tools.
Multilateral Actions to Combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)
Tackling emerging gender-related risks and challenges is essential as technology can sometimes trigger or worsen discrimination, with online platforms enabling the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and misogynistic content. Digital platform governance often overlooks women’s safety and rights, reinforcing gender stereotypes and hindering women’s engagement in public and political spheres.
It is a distressing reality that the pace of diplomacy to tackle digital violence does not meet the super-fast evolving rate of technology, and thus it brings new forms of violence for women and girls. That said, TFGBV is surely at the top of the agenda of many UN bodies. At the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee, there was a strong call to intensify efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in digital environments.
UN Women works closely with governments and international bodies to develop and support frameworks such as the recently adopted Global Digital Compact, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s Cybercrime Convention, and the EU Directive on combating violence against women. UN Women connects gender justice with digital rights advocacy by amplifying the voices of women’s rights groups and fem-tech activists, providing them with the tools, expertise, and networks needed to combat digital exclusion and advocate for stronger protections for women and girls, including collaborative actions such as Generation Equality Action Coalition and Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse.
Legislative Actions to Set Standards and Stop Impunity
Effective legislative and policy frameworks are fundamental to safeguarding women’s rights in digital environments. Many countries lack comprehensive laws that specifically address online violence, digital harassment, and abuse, leaving women vulnerable with limited recourse. State policies must promote the responsible governance of digital platforms, requiring them to implement safety features, reporting mechanisms, and content moderation policies that prevent abuse. International cooperation is vital to harmonize legal standards and facilitate cross-border enforcement. Building legal and institutional capacity to respond promptly and effectively to digital violence is essential to creating safer online spaces conducive to women’s full participation.
Increasing Access to Digital Resources for Women in Underdeveloped Communities
Despite the transformative potential of digital technologies, women and girls in marginalized and underdeveloped communities often face severe access barriers—limited infrastructure, affordability issues, lack of digital literacy, and sociocultural constraints. These disparities deepen existing inequalities, preventing women from benefiting fully from digital opportunities such as education, healthcare, economic participation, and civic engagement. International organizations must endorse strategies to bridge this digital divide, including expanding affordable internet connectivity, establishing community-based digital centers, and designing culturally sensitive digital literacy programs. Enhancing access to digital resources empowers women in underserved areas, enabling them to improve their socio-economic status, participate in decision-making and realize their full potential.
Women`s Empowerment Through Digital Literacy Skills
Digital literacy is a cornerstone for economic empowerment, enabling women and girls to access new markets, entrepreneurship opportunities, remote work, and financial services. In a rapidly digitizing economy, a lack of digital skills limits women’s ability to participate fully in economic activities, perpetuating gender disparities. As a local force for action, civil society organizations must be financially empowered to lead more initiatives that provide training in digital literacy, coding, financial technology, and online safety, tailored to women’s needs and contexts.
Equipping women with these skills not only enhance their employability but also fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to broader economic growth. Furthermore, digital empowerment can challenge traditional gender roles, increase women’s decision-making power, and support their leadership in various sectors. Investing in women’s digital skills is thus a strategic priority for advancing gender equality and sustainable development.
In conclusion, safeguarding women’s rights in the digital realm is an urgent, multifaceted challenge that requires concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Addressing online violence, closing digital gaps, and promoting inclusive digital leadership are essential steps toward creating safe, equitable, and empowering online spaces for women and girls worldwide.
By implementing robust legislation, fostering digital literacy, and ensuring meaningful participation in digital governance, we can turn the promise of technological progress into a reality that truly benefits all women. Only through sustained, collaborative action can we ensure that digital transformation becomes a force for gender justice and equality.
1. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite
2. https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/faqs/digital-abuse-trolling-stalking-and-other-forms-of-technology-facilitated-violence-against-women
3. https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/tipping-point-online-violence-impacts-manifestations-and-redress-en.pdf
Cemre Ulker is the Representative of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) to the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
