Women and Girls Suffer from Tech-Driven Abuse - UN

The Growing Threat of Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

The impact of digital violence on women and girls is devastating, often leading to emotional distress, reputational damage, and even physical harm. As technology continues to evolve, so do the methods used by perpetrators to exploit and harm vulnerable individuals.

According to a recent statement from the United Nations Women, the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools is amplifying existing patterns of violence against women and girls. This has led to new forms of abuse and exploitation that are difficult to detect and combat.

Alarming Statistics and New Forms of Abuse

One of the most concerning issues highlighted in the statement is the prevalence of deepfakes. It was reported that 90 to 95 per cent of all deepfakes online are sexualized images of women. These images can be created and spread with ease, causing significant harm to the victims involved.

Image-based sexual exploitation, deepfakes, and coordinated online harassment are just a few examples of the dangers women and girls face online. Additionally, girls and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as they may encounter cyberbullying, online dating abuse, and grooming in online spaces.

The Role of AI in Facilitating Harm

The rapid advancement of AI has made it easier for perpetrators to create and disseminate explicit images and videos without consent. This not only violates the privacy of individuals but also further victimizes women and girls.

Studies have shown that up to 58 per cent of women and 20 per cent of girls face some form of digital violence. However, the true scale of this issue remains under-reported and insufficiently recognized.

A Worsening Situation

The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with verified AI-generated child sexual abuse material seeing a 380 per cent increase in 2024 compared to 2023. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for action to address the growing threat of digital violence.

Women in public life, including journalists, politicians, human rights defenders, and activists, face heightened exposure to digital attacks. These attacks can have deeply damaging consequences, silencing their voices and deterring their participation in political and democratic processes, leadership, peace processes, and decision-making.

Vulnerable Communities at Greater Risk

Women facing intersecting forms of discrimination—such as girls and women with disabilities, of colour, rural women, and girls and women of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities—are disproportionately targeted and at risk of digital economic exploitation and abuse.

The Influence of the Manosphere

The UN Women agency also noted the growing influence of the "manosphere" and related ecosystems. This network of communities, which often claims to address men's struggles such as dating, fitness, or fatherhood, can promote harmful advice and attitudes that justify online and physical abuse.

The Responsibility of Technology Companies

Technology companies play a crucial role in creating and maintaining safe and equitable spaces online. The UN Women urged these companies to promote accountability and reporting, delete, or block harmful content on their platforms.

Moreover, the agency called for a preventive approach rather than a reactive one. This includes starting from the initial design of safe and ethical technology and ensuring digital platforms protect users rather than expose them to harm.

Calls for Action from Governments and Civil Society

In addition to the role of technology companies, the UN Women called on governments and civil society to hold perpetrators of online and offline violence accountable. This should be done through robust, rights-based legislation aligned with digital governance frameworks.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Marked annually on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as a global call to end all forms of violence against women and girls. It aims to raise awareness of the harms they face and mobilize action to protect their rights and safety.

The theme for 2025 is "UNiTE to end digital violence against all women and girls." This initiative emphasizes the need for collective action to address the growing challenges posed by digital violence.