Digital Violence Against Women: Towards Transformative Policies and Partnerships in the Framework of Beijing+30

12 March 2025

Author Judy Toll  SISEAP Representative to CSW69

This event organised by the Ministry of Equality (Spain), in collaboration with UNDP, SEGIB, and the Ibero-American initiative to Prevent and Eliminate Violence Against Women in Ibero America.

This session examined digital violence as a growing threat to gender equality, democratic participation, and gender rights.

The Minister for Equality (Spain), Ana Redondo highlighted the targeted online abuse faced by former New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, illustrating how digital violence disproportionately impacts women in leadership. She further highlighted how such attacks often extend to families of public figures, further deterring women from political and public engagement. The absence of robust regulations and accountability mechanism on digital platforms remains a pressing concern.

Key Takeaways

• Recognise and criminalise digital sexual violence, ensuring content providers are held accountable.
• Governments, civil society, and businesses to have a coordinated effort to foster safer digital environments.
• Implement content monitoring and labelling mechanism to address misinformation, harassment, and abuse.
• Equip women and girls with tools to safely navigate online spaces and counter digital threats.
• Strengthen international legal and policy frameworks to address digital violence.

Digital violence threatens democracy and gender equality.

Urgent action is needed to protect women’s rights and to ensure safe online participation.