The digital frontier, once hailed as a democratic equalizer and a boundless space for connection, has transformed into a primary theater for gender-based harassment, intimidation, and abuse. Across the globe, the statistics tell a harrowing story of a crisis that is no longer confined to the fringes of the internet but has become a systemic barrier to gender equality. In some regions, more than 50 per cent of women report having been the target of online violence, a figure that highlights a staggering failure of digital governance and social protection. While global data collection remains non-uniform, the snapshots provided by regional studies offer a chilling glimpse into the scale of the problem. In the European Union, one in ten women has experienced cyber-harassment since the age of 15. The numbers climb even higher in the Arab States, where 60 per cent of women internet users report being exposed to online violence within the last year alone. Similarly, in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, more than half of women active online have faced technology-facilitated violence at some point in their lives.
These figures are not merely abstract data points; they represent a lived reality that cuts across every sector of society. Whether in the high-stakes world of politics, the competitive arenas of professional sports, the glitz of the entertainment industry, or the front lines of investigative journalism, women and girls are living under a constant, looming threat. Even those who occupy the most public of podiums are not immune. Many leaders and advocates find themselves navigating the same toxic digital environments as the survivors they represent, experiencing firsthand the vitriol that seeks to diminish their influence. This is a universal struggle that bridges the gap between the public and private spheres, proving that the digital world is not a separate entity but a direct extension of our physical reality.
The impact of this violence is profound and multifaceted. Behind every statistic is a woman who has been silenced, a girl who has been discouraged from pursuing her dreams, and a society that is fundamentally diminished by the loss of their contributions. When women are driven out of digital spaces by fear and abuse, the world is denied their leadership, their innovation, and their unique perspectives. This mass "digital displacement" serves as a modern form of censorship, reinforcing traditional power structures and ensuring that the voices of half the population remain muted in the very spaces where the future is being shaped.
In the face of this onslaught, feminist movements and digital rights defenders have emerged as the vanguard of resistance. For years, they have sounded the alarm, advocating for better protections, building robust survivor networks, and pressing for systemic change. Their persistence is finally beginning to yield results; currently, two-thirds of countries report taking targeted actions to combat digital violence. This progress, while encouraging, is only the beginning of a much larger shift required to ensure safety for all.
Central to this effort is the global work of UN Women, which operates a comprehensive programme on digital violence with the support of Spain. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between data and action, transforming advocacy into concrete policy. By supporting frontline services, prevention efforts, and the development of new legal frameworks, the programme ensures that women’s rights organizations remain at the heart of the solution. These organizations are operating against a backdrop of increasing complexity, facing not only the evolution of technology but also a significant social and political pushback against gender equality.
One of the cornerstones of this global response is the ACT to End Violence against Women Programme. Supported by the European Union, this initiative directly funds 60 women’s rights organizations across the globe, empowering them to lead the charge in their local communities. Recognizing that the technological landscape is shifting rapidly, the ACT AI School has also been established. This innovative project is equipping more than 150 civil society organizations with the necessary tools for digital safety and resilience, as well as the AI competencies required to navigate a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly used to facilitate abuse. Furthermore, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women continues to back frontline organizations that provide essential services to survivors, while the Spotlight Initiative demonstrates the power of a coordinated, system-wide approach to breaking the cycle of violence both online and offline.
Despite these efforts, the challenges remain formidable. Survivors of digital violence frequently encounter a culture of disbelief and victim-blaming when they attempt to seek help. Meanwhile, abusers often enjoy a pervasive sense of impunity, shielded by the anonymity of the internet and the lack of cross-border legal cooperation. The implementation of remedial or protective measures continues to lag far behind the pace of technological innovation. Perhaps most frustrating is the resource gap: while women’s organizations are consistently denied the funding they need, enormously wealthy tech platforms continue to operate with limited oversight, often prioritizing profit and engagement over the safety and dignity of their users.
However, the global community of advocates is equally formidable, and the solutions to these challenges are within reach. To truly dismantle the digital panopticon, three critical pillars of action must be prioritized. First, there must be a universal recognition that digital violence is real violence. It is not "virtual" or "less than"; its consequences are tangible and devastating. This recognition must involve a deep cultural shift, working with people of all ages—men, women, boys, and girls—to address harmful social norms and reject toxic patterns of abuse. It requires a fundamental change in perceptions of masculinity and a collective refusal to accept harassment as a standard part of the online experience.
Second, the burden of accountability must shift toward justice systems and technology companies. Justice systems must be modernized to keep pace with the evolving nature of digital crime, ensuring that laws are enforceable and that survivors have a clear path to restitution. Simultaneously, technology companies must be held responsible for the safety of their platforms. The era of self-regulation has proven insufficient; these corporations must be mandated to build safety into their products from the design phase and to respond transparently and effectively when abuse occurs.
Third, there must be a massive increase in investment toward prevention and response. The economic and social cost of violence against women is astronomical, impacting everything from healthcare systems to national productivity. In contrast, the cost of prevention is far lower, yet the organizations doing this crucial work remain chronically underfunded. Investing in these groups is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic necessity for any society that values equality and progress.
The upcoming 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) represents a pivotal moment in this journey. With a priority theme focused on access to justice, the Commission will specifically address the need for justice for women, girls, and young people in the digital space. CSW70 provides an invaluable opportunity for Member States to strengthen the rule of law and secure global commitments to comprehensive legislation, accountability measures for tech platforms, and expanded services for survivors. It is a chance to reclaim technology as an enabler of empowerment rather than a weapon of suppression.
Digital violence is not an inevitability of the modern age, nor is it an inescapable price of progress. On the contrary, it is a perversion of human vision and ingenuity—an abuse of the very tools designed to connect and unite us. The misuse of technology to intimidate and silence women is an outrage that affects everyone, as a society that suppresses the voices of women is a society that cannot reach its full potential. Change is not only possible; it is being delivered through the solutions currently in our hands. Every space, whether on or offline, must be a sanctuary of safety, dignity, and equality. The work will continue, relentlessly and globally, until every woman and every girl can navigate the digital world without fear, always and everywhere.
