Womankind Worldwide launches a policy brief on Tech Facilitated Gender Based Violence
By Womankind Worldwide
The rise of digital technology has revolutionised access to information and freedom of expression globally. Womankind have published a policy brief focused on ending Tech Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV).
To date, information can be accessed faster and virtually in any part of the world. From enhancing connectivity, digital inclusion, financial inclusion, trade, business, health, amongst others, the technological revolution has emerged as a tool in promoting universal rights also integral in gender equality.
However, the technological revolution has emerged as an extension of abuse leading to new forms of violence online particularly against women and girls around the world. Featuring: hacking, impersonation, gendered revenge pornography, catfishing, surveillance and tracking, we continue to witness how online violence is ravaging lives while compromising the safety and wellbeing of women, girls and people of all genders.
The rise of weaponised technologies
Compounded by AI and machine learning, the new age of deep fakes and engineered misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda have created a new form of pervasive misogyny. The growing ability to manipulate various digital content is facilitating increased spread of harmful narratives targeting women and girls fueling harmful stereotypes that result in violence.
Recognised every year, the 16 Days of Ending Gender Based Violence is a global call for prevention and elimination of gender-based violence. Joining stakeholders in this year’s rallying call, Womankind Worldwide is adding a voice by launching a policy brief focused on ending Tech Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) and its intersection with femicide.
TFGBV impeding on the freedoms of women and girls
TFGBV is defined by the UN as an act of violence committed by one or more people using technology partly or fully based on one’s gender resulting in physical, sexual, and psychological, social, political, or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms. According to statistics by UN Women, the global prevalence of TFGBV is 16-58 per cent with the most affected being women and girls. Womankind’s 2023 femicide publication highlighted how systemic forms of oppression such as capitalism, weaponised technology, patriarchy, white supremacy and racism continue to contribute to the rising femicide rates around the world.
While Big Tech corporations have shown commitment to fighting online violence through various safety policies and tools such as the community standards and guidelines; much more needs to be done to protect the human rights of women and girls online. Simply put, it is critical to create safer online environments where women and girls can thrive.
To end TFGBV we need a radical shift and human rights-oriented approaches centring the rights of women and girls. That is why Womankind’s policy brief on TFGBV is grounded on a feminist participatory-action research offering key recommendations addressing TFGBV while upholding feminist values of equity and justice.
We’ve been quite deliberate in creating awareness about ending violence against women and girls for the last several years. This year we’ve taken a new approach in showing the intersection of emergent forms of tech-based gender violence and femicide and how this affects diverse groups of women, girls and people of all genders. Through this policy brief we highlight realities and the possible solutions to ending this form of violence from an intersectional feminist perspective,’’ Kavinya Makau, Director of Policy and Communications, Womankind Worldwide
Key recommendations on urgent action needed to eliminate TFGBV
- Advocate for ongoing digital safety engagements
- Establish global governance and regulation
- Develop community driven technologies
- Implement comprehensive digital literacy programmes
- Strengthen legislation and enforcement against tech abuse
Together, we can reclaim technology as a force for liberation rather than oppression and strive for a more just and equitable society. Interested in partnering with Womankind to counter violence against women and girls? Get in touch with Jill Anami, our Interim Progamme Manager, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. Contact: media@womankind.org.uk
Womankind Worldwide is an international women’s rights organisation and funder, working with women’s rights and feminist movements across the world to end gender inequality. Alongside partners, women’s rights organisations and feminist movements, we spotlight trends in violence against women and girls to decision-makers, governments among other stakeholders in regional and international spaces so that political decisions and policies are put in place to address them.
