The digital world is very promising when it comes to amplifying the voices of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals. But it also gives rise to new forms of abuse and harassment driven by gender issues.
Online gender violence is a human rights issue that must be addressed on the global stage, according to a coalition of governments, international organizations, and private sector groups aiming to deliver concrete results by the end of the year.
Led by Denmark and the United States, the Global Partnership for Action Against Online Gender Harassment and Abuse* was created to combat the growing scourge known as “technology-facilitated gender violence.” In addition to Denmark and the U.S., Australia, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom make up the initial group of member countries.
“Our response to gender violence needs to be updated for the 21st century*,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, during an event on March 16 in New York that kicked off the new partnership.
“We need everyone to prioritize this issue of online harassment and abuse — it has been neglected for too long,” she said.
Preventing and responding to online gender abuse was one of several priorities outlined during President Biden’s 2021 Summit for Democracy.
The partnership, launched during the 66th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, is also part of the Technology for Democracy* initiative, led by Denmark, to protect against human rights violations in the digital arena.
Widespread Problem
Worldwide, it is estimated that 85%* of women and girls have experienced some form of online harassment, according to the White House. Some victims experience severe mental stress, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts.
Examples of online gender violence include:
• Non-consensual distribution of intimate digital images.
• Stalking.
• Live-streamed sexual violence.
• Threats of sexual violence or death.
The partnership will:
• Empower activists to recognize, document, and respond to gender violence.
• Collect and share comparable data at national, regional, and global levels.
• Increase programming and resources to prevent and respond to gender abuse.
“Online harassment and abuse have a chilling effect on women, girls, and other underrepresented or marginalized groups. It can lead to self-censorship — or total disengagement,” said Jennifer Klein, Director of the White House Gender Policy Council.
“As this abuse is truly borderless, our efforts to confront it must be as well,” she said.
Source: share.america.gov