In today's digital age, the rapid proliferation of technology has brought immense benefits, but it has also facilitated new forms of violence against women. This tech-facilitated violence is not only a personal threat to women but also a profound challenge to democracy itself. Addressing this issue is imperative to ensure women can participate fully and safely in political life, thereby strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.
The Rising Tide of Tech-Facilitated Violence
Technology has become a double-edged sword. While it offers unprecedented opportunities for communication and engagement, it also provides new tools for harassment and abuse. Women politicians, leaders, journalists, and public figures are increasingly targeted with deep fake images, non-consensual sexualized imagery, doxing, stalking, and coordinated social media mobs.
We spoke with Ambassador Geeta Rao Gupta for the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State to delve into the alarming rise in online violence against women leaders, the diplomatic efforts to address it, and the critical role of technology companies and international frameworks in combating this growing threat. As Ambassador Rao Gupta stated, “The technology and the actors who use it, especially the malign actors, are moving much faster than we are.”
Panorama Strategy’s recent report, "Beyond Gender Parity: An Exploration of Funding for Women’s Political Leadership in the Global South," reinforces this concern, citing the Economist Intelligence Unit’s findings of an 85% global prevalence of online violence against women, with even higher rates in the Global South. These attacks are designed to intimidate, silence, and drive women out of public spaces.
One alarming aspect of this trend is the psychological toll it takes. Many women leaders report feeling depleted and demoralized, and some even discourage younger women from pursuing similar careers due to the constant threat of online abuse. This chilling effect not only undermines gender equality but also erodes the foundations of democracy by deterring capable leaders from stepping forward.
Diplomatic and Multilateral Efforts to Address Tech-Facilitated Violence
Despite the daunting challenges, there are encouraging signs of progress. The Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts such as the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, a commitment from the first Summit for Democracy, and an action coalition of the Denmark Tech for Democracy initiative.
These initiatives were established in response to the pivotal need to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence as part of a shared global agenda to promote peace, security, and stability. Recognizing that the chilling effects of online harassment and abuse on the civic and political participation of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ persons undermine this agenda, these efforts have gained significant traction. Formally launched at the 66th Commission on the Status of Women in March 2022, the initiative now includes 15 countries and a multistakeholder Advisory Group working together to understand, prevent, and address technology-facilitated gender-based violence. "Key objectives include developing and advancing shared principles, increasing targeted programming and resources, and expanding reliable, comparable data and access to it."
Ambassador Rao Gupta acknowledged that facing the rapidly escalating challenge of technology-facilitated gender-based violence can feel disheartening but is encouraged by the progress made on the issue in just one year. “Some of these diplomatic and multilateral actions that we’ve taken have really taken root this past year, which is very encouraging," she noted.
The Role of Technology Companies
Technology companies play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating tech-facilitated violence. Ambassador Rao Gupta emphasized the concept of "safety by design," which involves integrating safety measures into the development of new technologies from the outset to prevent and mitigate gender-based violence right from the start. She explained that "to do that helps to ensure the voices and experiences of survivors are meaningfully and safely included throughout the design of new technologies" to prevent harm proactively.
Furthermore, regulation is necessary to hold companies accountable. Governments, particularly in the EU and the US, are beginning to implement regulations to address these issues. However, Ambassador Rao Gupta notes the challenge in balancing regulation with innovation, ensuring that technological advancement continues without compromising user safety.
Moreover, companies are encouraged to provide meaningful tools to combat image-based sexual abuse and limit the dissemination of harmful content. The recent public call to action by the White House for companies to address AI-generated intimate imagery exemplifies these efforts.
Future Steps and Initiatives
Looking ahead, the State Department plans to launch a new project to provide rapid/flexible response support to women politicians, political candidates, and civil society leaders who have experienced extreme forms and/or threats of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This initiative endeavors to sustain and increase women’s safe, equal, and meaningful political participation and foster more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable democracies around the world.
Ensuring a Safer Future for Women in Leadership
Addressing tech-facilitated violence is essential for promoting gender equality and strengthening democracy. It requires a coordinated effort from governments, civil society, and the private sector to create a safer digital environment. By taking decisive action now, we can ensure that women are not driven out of political life and that democratic institutions are protected from the corrosive effects of online abuse. The future of our democratic societies depends on our ability to meet this challenge head-on.
Ambassador Rao Gupta emphasized the significance of these efforts, highlighting the proactive advancement of women's leadership and their roles in peace and security processes. This week’s NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., from July 9-11, will serve as a crucial platform for promoting women's representation and safety in leadership positions and public life.
As Ambassador Rao Gupta aptly put it, “We see [technology-facilitated gender-based violence] as a significant barrier to women's leadership. That's why we are using all the tools available in foreign policy to promote more women as leaders. The data clearly shows that increased women's leadership contributes to societal stability, peace, prosperity, and democracy.”
