The digital revolution was once heralded as the ultimate equalizer, a borderless frontier where voices previously marginalized could finally find a platform. Yet, for millions of women and girls across the globe, the internet has transformed from a tool of empowerment into a sophisticated theater of harassment and intimidation. Today, the scale of this crisis is reaching a breaking point, with more than half of women in several regions reporting that they have been victims of online violence. This is not a peripheral issue of "internet trolls" or "mean comments"; it is a systemic assault on the human rights, professional lives, and physical safety of women, threatening to roll back decades of progress in gender equality.
Current data paints a sobering picture of a world where digital spaces are increasingly hostile. While research methodologies are still evolving to capture the full scope of the problem, the existing figures are staggering. In the European Union, a region often viewed as a leader in digital regulation, one in ten women has experienced some form of cyber-harassment since the age of 15. The situation is even more dire in the Arab States, where 60 per cent of women internet users report being exposed to online violence within just the past twelve months. Similarly, in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, more than half of women who maintain an online presence have been subjected to technology-facilitated violence at some point in their lives. These statistics represent a global epidemic that transcends borders, cultures, and socioeconomic status.
The victims are not nameless figures in a database; they are journalists, politicians, athletes, students, and activists. They are women in the public eye whose careers are derailed by coordinated smear campaigns, and they are private individuals whose lives are shattered by doxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and relentless stalking. Many leaders on the world stage, including those who champion these issues at the highest levels of international diplomacy, have shared their own harrowing personal experiences with digital abuse. The message sent to women is clear: your presence in the digital world comes with a price—a price of constant threat and psychological warfare.
Behind every data point lies a profound human cost. When a woman is harassed into deleting her social media accounts or withdrawing from public discourse, a voice is silenced. When a young girl is discouraged from pursuing a career in tech or politics because she fears the inevitable online backlash, a future leader is lost. This "chilling effect" does more than just harm the individual; it diminishes society as a whole. When women are driven out of digital spaces, the world is denied their leadership, their innovation, and their unique perspectives. Digital violence acts as a modern-day barrier to entry, a glass ceiling made of algorithms and anonymity.
In the face of this onslaught, a resilient front of feminist movements and digital rights defenders has emerged. These organizations have been the first to sound the alarm, working tirelessly to build survivor networks and advocate for more robust protections. Their advocacy is starting to yield results, with two-thirds of countries now reporting that they have implemented targeted actions to combat digital violence. However, the gap between policy and practice remains wide, and the resources available to these frontline defenders are often a fraction of what is required to match the scale of the problem.
Recognizing the urgency of the moment, UN Women has launched a comprehensive global programme aimed at turning data into tangible action. Supported by Spain, this initiative focuses on transforming advocacy into concrete policy frameworks. The program works to support essential services for survivors, bolster prevention efforts, and establish new legal standards that hold perpetrators accountable. Central to this mission is the empowerment of women’s rights organizations, which are currently navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape characterized by sophisticated technology and significant political pushback.
One of the cornerstones of this effort is the ACT to End Violence against Women Programme, which receives critical support from the European Union. This initiative provides direct funding to 60 women’s rights organizations globally, ensuring that those who understand the local context best have the financial means to effect change. Furthermore, the ACT AI School is a pioneering effort to bridge the technological divide, equipping more than 150 civil society organizations with the tools they need for digital safety, institutional resilience, and AI competency. In an era where artificial intelligence can be weaponized to create deepfakes and automate harassment, these skills are no longer optional; they are essential for survival and advocacy.
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women also plays a vital role by backing frontline organizations that deliver life-saving services and advocacy. Combined with the Spotlight Initiative—a massive, coordinated effort to break the cycle of violence both online and offline—these programs demonstrate the power of a system-wide approach. The goal is to move away from fragmented responses and toward a unified global strategy that treats digital violence with the same gravity as physical assault.
Despite these efforts, the challenges remain formidable. Survivors of digital violence frequently encounter a wall of disbelief when they attempt to report crimes. Law enforcement and judicial systems often lack the training or the legislative tools to treat online threats as "real" violence. This creates a culture of impunity where abusers can operate with little fear of consequence. Meanwhile, the implementation of protective measures continues to lag behind the rapid pace of technological innovation. Perhaps most frustrating is the role of enormously wealthy tech platforms. These companies, which possess the resources and technical capability to mitigate harm, often operate with limited oversight and have been slow to prioritize the safety of women over engagement metrics.
However, the tide is beginning to turn. The global community is increasingly recognizing that digital violence is not an inevitability of the modern age, nor is it an inescapable price of progress. It is, in fact, a perversion of human ingenuity—a misuse of tools that were designed to connect and unite us. To reclaim the digital frontier, a three-pronged strategy is being championed by advocates and international bodies alike.
First, there must be a universal recognition that digital violence is real violence. It must be named, measured, and rejected in all its forms. This involves a cultural shift that begins with education. Working with young people—men and boys as well as women and girls—is essential to dismantling the harmful norms and toxic perceptions of masculinity that fuel online abuse. By changing the narrative around what is acceptable behavior in digital spaces, we can foster a culture of respect and dignity.
Second, accountability must be the new standard for both justice systems and technology companies. Justice systems must be modernized to keep pace with the evolving nature of technology-facilitated crimes. Simultaneously, tech giants must be held legally and ethically responsible for the safety of their users. The era of "self-regulation" has proven insufficient; there must be clear, enforceable mandates that ensure platforms are not breeding grounds for hate and violence.
Third, there must be a significant and sustained investment in prevention and response. The economic and social cost of violence against women is astronomical, yet the funding for prevention remains chronically low. Investing in the infrastructure of safety—such as survivor services, legal aid, and digital literacy—is not just a moral imperative; it is a necessary investment in the stability and prosperity of our global society.
Looking ahead, the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) represents a pivotal moment for this movement. With "access to justice" as its priority theme, the commission will specifically address the need for justice for women and girls in the digital space. CSW70 offers a rare opportunity to strengthen the rule of law on a global scale, securing commitments for comprehensive legislation and robust accountability measures for tech platforms. It is a chance to ensure that technology serves as an enabler of gender equality rather than a weapon against it.
The fight against digital violence is a fight for the soul of the internet. It is a refusal to accept a world where half the population is intimidated into silence. By choosing to act, by demanding accountability, and by investing in the organizations that protect the vulnerable, we can ensure that every space—whether on or offline—is one of safety, dignity, and equality. The solutions are within reach; the will to implement them must now follow. For every woman and girl, and for the health of our global community, the time to secure the digital future is now.
