In the Philippines, Technology-facilitated Violence Is Depriving Girls of an Education
Source: The Diplomat
The right to education does not end at the classroom. It extends into digital spaces, including social media, group chats, messaging apps, and even online learning platforms. When those spaces become sites for harassment, cyber-bullying, sexual exploitation, blackmail, or humiliation, students – especially girls – are denied this right.
Imagine you are a teenage girl at school, walking into the classroom and seeing your peers laughing into their screens. Then comes the shock of discovering that they are laughing at photos of you that have been digitally altered into explicit content and shared across social media.
While this is a shocking example of digital abuse, it is also a frightening reality for millions of women and girls navigating the digital world today.
Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls may stop girls from participating in the classroom or cause them to avoid school altogether. It may sap them of confidence, concentration, and trust. They may be physically present in class, but emotionally pushed out of learning.
The right to education does not end at the classroom. It extends into digital spaces, including social media, group chats, messaging apps, and even online learning platforms. When those spaces become sites for harassment, cyber-bullying, sexual exploitation, blackmail, or humiliation, students – especially girls – are denied this right.
Imagine you are a teenage girl at school, walking into the classroom and seeing your peers laughing into their screens. Then comes the shock of discovering that they are laughing at photos of you that have been digitally altered into explicit content and shared across social media.
While this is a shocking example of digital abuse, it is also a frightening reality for millions of women and girls navigating the digital world today.
Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls may stop girls from participating in the classroom or cause them to avoid school altogether. It may sap them of confidence, concentration, and trust. They may be physically present in class, but emotionally pushed out of learning.