Digital Violence Against Women: A Threat to Democracy and the Urgency for Global Action 

Blog by Elizabeth Peterson, 2024–2026 North Atlantic Region Governor from Soroptimist International of the Americas, Connecticut Shoreline Club  

Panel Two of this key CSW69 side event was a critical examination of how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV) directly threatens democracy and exacerbates political polarisation.  

With a distinguished panel featuring Ms. Maya Jimenez, Ms. Aluudena Diaz, Ms. Anaís Burgos, Ms. Marcela Hernández Oropa, Ms. Roberta Braga and Ms. Raquel Lagunas, the discussion focused on the weaponisation of digital platforms to silence, intimidate, and discredit women in public life. The session called for urgent state commitments, international treaties, and strategic multilateral cooperation to combat this growing crisis. 

Digital Violence as a Barrier to Women’s Political Participation 

One of the most alarming aspects of TF-GBV is its deliberate use as a political weapon. Women in politics, civil service, and other leadership roles are increasingly targeted by misinformation campaigns, harassment, and smear tactics designed to undermine their credibility and push them out of the public sphere. 

• Social media aggression often takes the form of mockery, body shaming, sexualisation, and gender-based stereotypes.
• These attacks reinforce the dangerous idea that women do not belong in politics or decision-making roles.
• TF-GBV weakens democracy by discouraging women from participating in political and civic life, leading to reduced pluralism and a diminished diversity of perspectives in governance.

 

The panel emphasised that if democracy is to remain strong, women must be empowered, not silenced. There was a strong call for protocols that address prevention, sanctions, and legal recourse for victims of digital violence. State commitment is essential, as well as corporate accountability from social media platforms, where much of this violence takes place. 

The Olympia Law: A Model for Digital Accountability 

A powerful example of progress in the fight against TF-GBV is the Olympia Law, a movement across Latin America advocating for the rights of survivors of digital violence. This legislation acknowledges that digital violence is real violence, recognising that we now live in a digital world where virtual spaces are just as impactful as physical ones. 

The panel highlighted that Mexico’s newly elected female President, Ms. Claudia Sheinbaum , is taking bold steps to address TF-GBV. 

• She has initiated discussions with the owners of major digital platforms, calling for greater responsibility in moderating harmful content.
• She is holding online aggressors accountable, particularly those who hypersexualise and manipulate images of women for political or personal attacks.
• Her leadership represents a new model of governance, proving that women in power can drive real policy change in the digital space.

 

This progress reinforces the need for international agreements to combat digital gender-based violence—treaties and multilateral cooperation can help create unified global strategies for prevention and enforcement. 

Reclaiming Cyberspace: A Call to Action 

One of the most powerful messages from the panel was the call for women to occupy and reclaim digital spaces rather than retreat. Silencing women is the goal of TF-GBV, and the best response is to continue raising our voices, advocating for legal protections, and exposing the tactics used against us. 

Key Strategies for Fighting Digital Violence: 

1. Expose Manipulative Tactics – Raise awareness of how digital violence operates. Disinformation thrives when it goes unchallenged.
2. Reinforce Positive Narratives – Women leaders should be portrayed as trustworthy, qualified, and capable, rather than reduced to harmful stereotypes.
3. Promote Evidence-Based Discourse – Arguments should be grounded in concrete facts rather than reactive rhetoric.
4. Build Resilient Digital Networks – Women must support one another online, creating strong, unified voices that counteract TF-GBV efforts to isolate individuals.

 

The Role of Young Men as Allies 

A particularly meaningful point in the discussion was the need to engage young men as allies in the fight against digital violence. Instead of framing the issue as solely a women’s problem, the panellists emphasised that violence against women and girls in digital spaces weakens democracy for all. The fight for a safer internet is a fight for a stronger, more just society. 

Conclusion: Strengthening Multilateralism and Moving Forward 

The ‘Digital Violence Against Women’ panel left attendees with a sense of urgency and determination. As we live through a time of political polarisation, wars, and democratic challenges, the panelists called for unwavering commitment to fighting back against TF-GBV. 

The fight continues—but through multilateral cooperation, policy reform, and collective advocacy, a safer digital future for women and democracy is possible.