The digital revolution was promised as the great equalizer, a borderless frontier where voices previously silenced by geography or social hierarchy could finally find resonance. Yet, for millions of women and girls across the globe, the internet has become a double-edged sword—a space of immense opportunity frequently overshadowed by a pervasive and evolving culture of violence. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the reality is stark: digital violence is not a peripheral issue or a mere byproduct of technological advancement. It is a systemic barrier to gender equality that threatens to undo decades of progress in women’s rights.
The scale of this crisis is staggering, though often obscured by the rapid pace of digital change and a lack of uniform reporting standards. Current data reveals a harrowing landscape. In various regions of the world, more than 50 percent of women report having experienced some form of online violence. The European Union, often seen as a leader in digital regulation, reports that one in ten women has faced cyber-harassment since the age of 15. The situation is even more acute in the Arab States, where a staggering 60 percent of female internet users reported being exposed to online violence within the last year alone. Similarly, in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, more than half of the women active in the digital sphere have experienced technology-facilitated violence during their lifetimes.
These figures are not just abstract data points; they represent a fundamental assault on the dignity and safety of women and girls everywhere. This violence does not discriminate based on status or profession. Whether in the public eye—as politicians, journalists, athletes, and entertainers—or in the private spheres of everyday life, women live under a constant shadow of digital threat. Even those at the highest levels of global leadership, including many of those currently advocating for change on international stages, have faced the vitriol and targeted campaigns that characterize the modern digital experience.
The consequences of this violence extend far beyond the individual. Behind every statistic lies a woman whose voice has been silenced, a girl who has been discouraged from pursuing her dreams, and a society that is fundamentally diminished by their absence. When women are driven out of digital spaces by harassment, doxing, or threats of physical harm, the global community is denied their leadership, their innovation, and their unique contributions. Digital violence is, in essence, an anti-democratic force that seeks to maintain traditional power structures by weaponizing the very tools meant to democratize information.
Fortunately, the tide is beginning to turn, driven by the tireless work of feminist movements and digital rights defenders. These activists have spent years sounding the alarm, building survivor-centric networks, and advocating for more robust protections. Their advocacy is yielding tangible results; currently, two-thirds of countries worldwide have begun reporting targeted actions aimed at curbing digital violence. This shift reflects a growing recognition that the "Wild West" era of the internet must come to an end, replaced by a framework that prioritizes human rights and safety.
At the forefront of this global effort is UN Women, which operates a comprehensive global programme on digital violence. Supported by Spain, this initiative focuses on the crucial transition from data collection to concrete action. The goal is to transform advocacy into enforceable policy, ensuring that the insights gained from survivors and researchers lead to real-world protections. This involves a multi-pronged approach: supporting essential services for survivors, funding prevention efforts, and assisting in the creation of new legal frameworks that reflect the nuances of technology-facilitated abuse. Central to this mission is the empowerment of women’s rights organizations, which often face increasing complexity and organized pushback as they fight for digital safety.
Furthermore, the ACT to End Violence against Women Programme, bolstered by support from the European Union, provides direct funding to 60 women’s rights organizations across the globe. Recognizing that technology is also a tool for empowerment, the ACT AI School is currently equipping more than 150 civil society organizations with the skills necessary to navigate the digital age. This includes training in digital safety, building organizational resilience against cyberattacks, and developing AI competencies that can be used to monitor and counter online abuse.
Through the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, essential resources are being funneled to frontline organizations that deliver life-saving services and advocacy. Complementing these efforts is the Spotlight Initiative, a massive, system-wide action plan designed to break the cycle of violence both online and offline. These programs demonstrate that while the challenges are formidable, coordinated action can create a safer world for women and girls.
However, we must remain clear-eyed about the obstacles that remain. Survivors of digital violence frequently face a culture of disbelief and victim-blaming. Abusers often enjoy a sense of total impunity, shielded by the anonymity of the web and the slow pace of judicial systems. Furthermore, the implementation of remedial or protective measures often lags years behind the rapid evolution of technology itself. Perhaps most concerning is the power imbalance: while grassroots women’s organizations struggle for every cent of funding, enormously wealthy tech platforms continue to operate with limited oversight, often prioritizing engagement and profit over the safety of their users.
To rise to these challenges, we must adopt a new paradigm for the digital age, centered on three core pillars. First, there must be a universal recognition that digital violence is real violence. It is not "virtual" or "less than" physical violence; its psychological, economic, and social impacts are profound and lasting. We must name it, measure it with precision, and reject it in all its forms. This requires a cultural shift that involves working with young people—men, women, boys, and girls—to dismantle harmful norms and reject the toxic perceptions of masculinity that often fuel online abuse.
Second, accountability must be the cornerstone of our digital future. Justice systems must be modernized to keep pace with technological trends, ensuring that laws are not just written but actively enforced. Simultaneously, technology companies must be held accountable for the environments they create. Safety can no longer be an optional "feature" or an afterthought; it must be built into the very architecture of digital platforms.
Third, we must dramatically increase investment in prevention and response. The economic and social cost of violence against women is astronomical, yet the funding for prevention remains a fraction of what is needed. Supporting the organizations that do this work is not just a moral imperative; it is a pragmatic necessity for any society that values equality.
Looking ahead, the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) represents a pivotal moment in this journey. With "access to justice" as its priority theme, the commission will specifically address the need for justice for women, girls, and young people in the digital space. This gathering provides a historic opportunity for Member States to secure global commitments to comprehensive legislation, improved survivor services, and rigorous accountability measures for tech platforms. It is a chance to ensure that technology serves its true purpose: as an enabler of gender equality and a catalyst for the empowerment of all.
Digital violence is not an inevitability of the modern world, nor is it the "price" we must pay for technological progress. On the contrary, it is a perversion of progress—a misuse of human ingenuity to facilitate ancient prejudices. We should all be outraged that tools designed to connect and unite the human race are being weaponized to intimidate and silence women. Our refusal to accept this status quo is the engine of change. By implementing the solutions we already have in our hands, we can ensure that every space, whether on or offline, is defined by safety, dignity, and equality. The work continues, for every woman, every girl, and every young person, everywhere and always.
