A New Threat to Women in Politics: Online Gender-Based Violence

Overview

In the last decade, women’s participation in public life has increased despite continued challenges to achieve gender parity. New technologies have transformed the way societies engage, creating opportunities to reach a greater number of people and increasing access to information. Unfortunately, the digital realm has become an increasingly violent space, especially for women, faced with the decision of having to choose between their professional aspirations and their personal security, especially in countries suffering from democratic backsliding, authoritarian regimes, and increased levels of insecurity.

In Arab States, nearly half of women internet users report feeling unsafe from online interactions. While in active conflict, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV)  is a rampant issue in Ukraine and Russia, where women activists are subject to online bullying and harassment. And in Latin America, one of the most violent regions in the world for women, female political candidates continue to be socially stigmatized. 

In honor of International Women’s Month, please join the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, Latin America Program, and Middle East Program on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:00am ET, for a conversation with female public figures from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, to discuss how public female figures can be better protected against online attacks; the challenges they face as they become influential figures; and the role of the state in providing legal frameworks that support and protect them.

To register for the event, click here.

Image source: Wilson Center