The digital revolution was once heralded as the great equalizer, a borderless expanse where voices previously sidelined by traditional power structures could finally find an audience. Yet, for millions of women and girls across the globe, the internet has become a double-edged sword. While it offers unprecedented opportunities for education, commerce, and connection, it has also birthed a virulent new theater for gender-based violence. Today, the virtual world is often as treacherous as the physical one, with technology-facilitated abuse serving as a modern tool of silencing and subjugation.
The scale of this crisis is staggering, though often hidden behind the sanitized language of "trolling" or "cyberbullying." In reality, we are witnessing a global epidemic of digital violence. In some corners of the world, more than half of all women report having experienced some form of online abuse. The data, while still emerging and often lacking global uniformity, paints a grim picture of a pervasive threat. In the European Union, one in ten women has been the target of cyber-harassment since the age of 15. In the Arab States, the figures are even more alarming, with 60 per cent of women internet users reporting exposure to online violence within the last year alone. Similarly, in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, more than 50 per cent of women active online have faced technology-facilitated violence at some point in their lives.
These numbers are not mere data points; they represent a fundamental assault on human rights and democratic participation. Behind every percentage is a woman whose voice has been stifled, a girl who has been discouraged from pursuing her dreams, and a society that is poorer for their absence. When women are hounded out of digital spaces, the world loses their leadership, their innovation, and their unique perspectives. This is not a niche issue affecting only a few; it is a systemic barrier that targets women across all sectors, from those in high-stakes public roles like politics, journalism, and sport, to private individuals simply trying to navigate modern life. Even those at the highest levels of global advocacy and governance are not immune, with many leaders having faced the same vitriol they now fight to dismantle.
For years, feminist movements and digital rights defenders have been the primary sentinels on this front. They have sounded the alarm when governments were slow to react and when tech giants were indifferent. These grassroots organizations have built survivor networks from the ground up, advocated for legislative reform, and demanded better protections from the platforms that host this abuse. Their persistence is finally yielding results. Currently, two-thirds of countries worldwide have begun reporting targeted actions aimed at curbing digital violence. However, while the momentum is growing, the response remains fragmented and under-resourced compared to the magnitude of the problem.
In response to this urgent need for a coordinated global strategy, UN Women has launched a comprehensive global programme on digital violence. Supported by Spain, this initiative is designed to bridge the gap between data and action. It recognizes that advocacy alone is insufficient; it must be translated into enforceable policy and robust support services. The programme focuses on creating new legal frameworks that reflect the realities of the 21st century, ensuring that the law does not stop at the edge of a keyboard. Central to this mission is the empowerment of women’s rights organizations, which currently operate in an environment of increasing complexity and ideological pushback.
One of the cornerstones of this effort is the ACT to End Violence against Women Programme. Supported by the European Union, this initiative provides direct funding to 60 women’s rights organizations globally. These frontline groups are the first responders in the fight against digital abuse, offering everything from psychological support to legal aid. Furthermore, the ACT AI School is preparing civil society for the next technological frontier. By equipping more than 150 organizations with tools for digital safety, resilience, and artificial intelligence competencies, the program ensures that those defending women’s rights are not left behind by the rapid pace of technological change.
Complementing these efforts are the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and the Spotlight Initiative. Together, they demonstrate the efficacy of a system-wide approach. By fostering cooperation between governments, civil society, and international bodies, these initiatives aim to break the cycle of violence both online and offline. They recognize that digital violence does not exist in a vacuum; it is an extension of the same patriarchal norms and power imbalances that fuel physical violence.
Despite these advancements, the path forward is fraught with obstacles. Survivors of online abuse frequently encounter a culture of disbelief or are told to simply "log off," as if retreating from modern society is a viable solution. Meanwhile, abusers often operate with total impunity, shielded by the anonymity of the web and the sluggishness of judicial systems that have failed to keep pace with innovation. Perhaps most frustrating is the lack of accountability for enormously wealthy technology platforms. These companies possess the resources to monitor and mitigate harm, yet they often operate with limited oversight, prioritizing engagement and profit over the safety of their users.
To turn the tide, a fundamental shift in strategy is required, centered on three critical pillars. First, there must be a global recognition that digital violence is real violence. It is not "virtual" or "lesser" than physical harm; its psychological, economic, and social consequences are devastatingly tangible. This recognition must be accompanied by a cultural shift. We must work with young people, including men and boys, to challenge the harmful norms and perceptions of masculinity that equate dominance with strength. Education is the primary tool for rejecting patterns of abuse before they become ingrained.
Second, the era of corporate and judicial passivity must end. Justice systems must be modernized to handle digital evidence and provide timely remedies for victims. Simultaneously, technology companies must be held legally and ethically accountable for the safety of their platforms. Safety can no longer be an afterthought or a "feature" to be toggled on; it must be built into the very architecture of digital tools.
Third, there must be a massive increase in investment toward prevention and response. While the economic and social cost of violence against women is astronomical, the cost of prevention is significantly lower. Yet, the organizations doing this life-saving work remain chronically underfunded. Financial commitment is the truest measure of political will.
The upcoming 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 needs of women, girls, and young people in digital spaces. CSW70 offers a rare opportunity for Member States to commit to comprehensive legislation and accountability measures that transcend national borders. It is a chance to redefine the role of technology—not as a weapon of harassment, but as a powerful enabler of gender equality and empowerment.
Digital violence is not an unavoidable byproduct of the internet age, nor is it the "price" women must pay for participating in the modern world. It is a perversion of human ingenuity. The same tools designed to connect the human race should not be used to intimidate and silence half of it. The refusal to accept this status quo is what will drive lasting change. By implementing the solutions already at our disposal—strengthening laws, funding frontline defenders, and demanding corporate responsibility—we can ensure that every space, whether on or offline, is a place of dignity, safety, and equality. The goal is clear: a world where every woman and girl can navigate the digital frontier without fear, today and for generations to come.
