A Call to Action! The Digital Divide: Technology- Facilitated Gender Based Violence

As we become increasingly immersed in the digital world, women and girls around the globe are facing a troubling surge in gender-based violence (GBV), a threat that is no longer confined to the physical spaces While technology has introduced new forms of online violence it has also enabled innovative solutions and tools for prevention and response fundamentally transforming how GBV  is experienced and addressed worldwide.  

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) manifests in various forms, including cyberstalking, defamation, doxing, harassment, revenge porn and online abuse. Like offline forms of GBV, TFGBV is deeply linked to broader social perpetuates harmful stereotypes, cultural and social norms, and patterns of toxic masculinity that discriminate against women and girls, including those with intersecting marginalised identities. 

The Rise and Rise of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence  

According to the Institute of International Development, between 16-58 per cent of women and girls in all their diversities, have experienced TFGBV. This staggering statistic underscores the widespread and growing threat of digital abuse, affecting women and girls globally, across age, race, or socio-economic backgrounds. The wide variance in the statistic also highlights systemic challenges in reporting, reflecting persistent and the underreporting due to stigma, fear of retaliation lack of awareness about reporting mechanisms, and inadequate legal frameworks.  

UN Women reports that current laws, policies, and frameworks designed to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG) have not kept pace with technological advancements. Significant gaps remain in understanding and developing effective strategies for preventing TFGBV, which are critical for shaping evidence-based prevention and response interventions. 

The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence 

New forms of technology such as Artificial intelligence (AI) continue to facilitate VAWG by enabling the creation of harmful content, such as deepfakes and data privacy violations, while also amplifying online harassment through automated bots. These technologies allow perpetrators to easily spread misogynistic material, impersonate victims, and create false narratives that damage reputations and mental health. A study by Rutgers indicates that AI-driven algorithms on social media platforms disproportionately target women and girls in all their diversities, as well as gender and women’s rights defenders, feminists, activists, and those affiliated with organizations tackling gender-based discrimination.  

This risk is further amplified by the visibility of women in public facing roles such as politicians, whose online presence makes them particularly vulnerable to abuse. Research by the Institute of Global Politics, highlights the consequences of being targeted by TFGBV often aims to silence these voices, forcing individuals to reduce their online presence, curtail their digital engagement or prematurely abandon public leadership roles. The sophisticated manipulation enabled by AI makes these attacks more persistent and difficult to detect. 

 Femicide the Global Epidemic 

In many cases, digital harassment and surveillance can escalate into physical violence, contributing to the global femicide crisis. An article by ICJ Kenya reports that dating platforms have not only fostered a culture of victim-blaming and shaming but have become dangerous tools for exploitation. These platforms are increasingly used to manipulate and lure potential victims, facilitating in-person physical and sexual assaults. The negative perception of dating apps has intensified VAWG, creating a dangerous environment where victims are less likely to report incidents, fearing stigmatisation or disbelief.  

Call to Action 

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, it is crucial to address the root causes of TFGBV and take immediate, coordinated action to combat this widespread violence, ensuring the safety, dignity, and protection of the rights of all women and girls in all their diversities. In line with these efforts, Womankind is launching a Policy Brief on Technology-Facilitated GBV, which highlights the urgent need to tackle its root causes and impacts. The policy brief calls for an immediate, coordinated action, stressing that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving key stakeholders is essential to ending TFGBV and creating sustainable change: 

• Governments must review, update and enforce laws that specifically address digital violence against women and girls, holding digital platforms accountable for user safety. Governments must invest in prevention efforts, such as digital literacy programs for women, girls, and communities to navigate online spaces safely, while supporting community-led action, advocacy, and activism, and training law enforcement in survivor-centred responses to combat TFGBV. Furthermore, criminalizing online and offline misogyny and violence is essential to establish legal consequences for perpetrators of GBV.  
• Tech companies must prioritize the developing of AI-driven tools to detect and prevent online abuse collaborating closely with experts in GBV prevention. 
• Civil society organizations, women’s rights organizations as well as feminists and individual activists, must continue to advocate for stronger protections and support systems for women, especially those who are publicly visible or in positions of leadership.  
• Research requires urgent investment. Policymakers, Big Tech companies, and advocacy organizations must conduct comprehensive interdisciplinary research to understand the scale, forms, impacts and prevention strategies for TFGBV.  
• Public awareness must be prioritised through targeted digital literacy education programmes and advocacy. This is by engaging diverse groups including young people, parents, educators, and digital platform users, to foster a culture of respect, accountability, and safety in the digital world.  
• Community Organizing must be integrated into practical guidance that speaks directly to women’s lived experiences, addressing the specific issues they face. Through community organizing, this guidance becomes more accessible and actionable, reaching women and girls in all their diversities. By fostering grassroots efforts, we can transform online safety advice into targeted, community-based support that empowers women and girls to understand, apply, and advocate for their own online safety. 

The time is now to create policies and digital spaces that truly protect women and girls in all their diversities from TFGBV fostering an equitable digital environment.  

Jill Anami is the interim Policy and Advocacy Manager, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Womankind Worldwide.