Women Fight Back: Combatting Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (CIPE)

7 Dec 2023 14:00h - 15:00h UTC

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Full session report

Lina Buchely

A survey conducted by the Observatory for Women’s Equity in Colombia has revealed concerning statistics regarding digital gender violence. The survey found that 53% of women in Colombia identify themselves as victims of digital violence, including cyberbullying, harassment, and the non-consensual distribution of explicit content. Shockingly, 47% of women surveyed were unaware of the existence of digital violence, indicating a lack of awareness and understanding of the issue.

Additionally, the survey discovered that 35% of women in Colombia receive inappropriate sexual content online. This kind of digital violence not only invades women’s privacy but also contributes to the objectification and commodification of their bodies.

The high prevalence of digital gender violence has significant implications for women’s economic autonomy. Only 11% of female victims reported incidents of digital violence within their organizations. This lack of reporting often results in women blocking the aggressor or feeling inhibited in engaging with social networks within the economic environment. Failing to address these incidents perpetuates a culture of silence and tolerance towards gender-based violence.

Despite the challenges, digital tools have proven valuable resources for women in Colombia during the pandemic. These tools have allowed women to work from home and balance reproductive and productive work responsibilities. However, the survey revealed that 80% of women feel insecure in the digital environment, highlighting the urgent need for secure and safe online spaces for women.

Measuring gender digital violence is a complex undertaking, as evidenced by the difficulties encountered during the survey. Initially, digital surveys were deployed, but the low response rate prompted a shift to more costly telephonic surveys, which achieved better engagement. Complementing the survey data, focus groups and other qualitative strategies were employed to gain deeper insights into the issue.

Regulatory reforms in Colombia and Latin America have played a critical role in naming and understanding gender-based violence, fostering cultural transformation. However, many enterprises lack the necessary protocols or mechanisms to address gender digital violence. This corporate responsibility gap often leads women to refrain from reporting incidents due to a lack of support and procedures.

The tech industry has the potential to be a key ally in combating digital gender violence. By designing tech infrastructure with a gender perspective, technology can detect and alert risky behavior, similar to systems used in the financial sector. This highlights the need for a gender-inclusive approach to tech design prioritizing women’s safety and well-being.

Effectively addressing gender digital violence requires the collective effort of diverse stakeholders. A broad alliance involving academia, policymakers, and private enterprises is necessary. Academia can promote more women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields and the tech industry. Policymakers can advocate for regulatory and legal changes that protect women’s rights and hold perpetrators accountable. Private enterprises can transform cultural norms and develop pedagogical tools for raising awareness and understanding of gender digital violence.

It is vital to recognize that gender digital violence is not only a violence issue but also an economic issue. It undermines women’s economic autonomy, pushing them out of economic opportunities and perpetuating inequalities. Therefore, addressing this issue is crucial for achieving gender equality and promoting decent work and economic growth.

Increasing representation and diversity are important steps in combating gender digital violence. By creating spaces for multiple voices and perspectives, we can ensure women’s experiences are heard and accounted for. This inclusivity can lead to more effective policies and interventions addressing the specific challenges faced by women in the digital world.

In conclusion, the survey conducted in Colombia highlights the prevalence of digital gender violence and its detrimental impact on women’s lives. Urgent action is needed to create secure and safe online spaces, develop protocols and procedures within organizations to address gender digital violence, and promote a gender-inclusive approach to tech design. Building alliances among academia, policymakers, and the private sector is crucial to effectively combat gender digital violence and promote gender equality.

Liana Sargsyan

The analysis highlights several key points regarding the importance of digital literacy and online safety for women entrepreneurs in Armenia. The Genesian Memorial Foundation (JMF) and CIPE focus on supporting business women through digital skills training. Liana Sargsyan, from JMF, emphasises the significance of digital skills as a tool to perform better in the digital economy for economically disadvantaged women entrepreneurs from remote regions.

Despite efforts to empower women through digital literacy, it is revealed that many women in Armenia have experienced online gender-based violence and harassment. An anonymous survey among over a hundred Armenian women entrepreneurs showed that around 19% have been targeted online in the workplace, and almost 11% have witnessed other women being targeted. Incidents of online harassment have caused harm, including mental and emotional distress, leaving women feeling unsafe and embarrassed.

The prevalence of technology-facilitated harms negatively impacts the economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Many women reported losing their motivation, self-confidence, and interest in their work, leading to the loss of economic opportunity. Women are becoming more cautious about their online interactions to mitigate risks.

There is a lack of public attention towards increasing cases of online violence. Survey findings show that most respondents say there is neglect by the public on the issue of online violence. Incidents often remain unreported, with around 30% of respondents unsure if reporting would help or bring about change. Stakeholders have failed to address this issue with a systematic solution, resulting in a lack of trust in the effectiveness of reporting and fear of retaliation.

The legal framework in Armenia does not sufficiently address technology-facilitated harms. There is no specific law that addresses this issue, and no legal mechanism is in place to enforce and punish offenders. As a result, women in Armenia do not report cases of technology-facilitated harms due to a lack of faith in the existing system. Even when violations are reported, there is often no solution due to the lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Organisations should include gender diversity as an ongoing effort to educate both men and women. The Strategicus Advisory Institute (SAI) encourages organisations to integrate gender diversity into their work, emphasising the need for a global and local strategy. Changing mindset and culture play a crucial role in implementing gender diversity.

The analysis concludes that awareness, training, and protection against technology-facilitated violence are crucial to empower women and foster their economic growth. Efforts to support women entrepreneurs in Armenia should focus on digital literacy and online safety. Furthermore, there is a need for public attention, a systematic solution, and a stronger legal framework to address the issue of online gender-based violence. Finally, organisations should actively promote gender diversity and work towards changing cultural mentality to ensure equal opportunities for men and women.

Adam Sachs

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is a significant barrier to the social and economic opportunities of women, especially businesswomen and entrepreneurs. A global study by The Economist found that 38% of women have personally experienced online violence, and 65% reported knowing other women who had been targeted online. Additionally, 85% of women have witnessed digital violence against other women. This highlights the pervasive nature of TFGBV and the urgent need for action.

The economic implications of TFGBV are concerning, with researchers estimating that online violence costs the global economy over two billion dollars in lost economic opportunity. This reinforces the need to prioritise investments in women’s economic empowerment, which could lead to an additional 10 trillion dollars of economic growth by 2030.

To address TFGBV, an inclusive policy environment should be fostered, supporting women business owners and entrepreneurs. Digital security and safety measures need to be promoted to protect women from online violence. Collaboration between women’s business associations and civil society organisations is essential in combating TFGBV effectively.

One challenge in addressing TFGBV is the lack of awareness among women regarding their victimisation. Many incidents go unreported due to a lack of trust in reporting mechanisms and fear of retaliation. Creating a culture of trust and support is crucial to empower victims.

Adam Sachs emphasises the need to address TFGBV systematically and advocates for regulatory measures. He also highlights the potential of technology to exacerbate or alleviate cultural and social issues.

It is worth noting that Armenia lacks a supportive legal framework to address technology-facilitated harms, underlining the importance of comprehensive policies and regulations. Uniting diverse voices through a coalition can further amplify efforts in raising awareness and finding solutions.

In conclusion, TFGBV poses significant challenges to women’s social and economic opportunities. Actions such as fostering an inclusive policy environment, promoting digital security, raising awareness, and enforcing regulations are needed to combat TFGBV effectively. Empowering women economically and using technology responsibly can create a more equal and inclusive digital world.

Gina Romero

The analysis of the provided statements highlights various issues related to gender equality and the impact of technology. Connected Women, an organization focusing on digital inclusion and upskilling for women in the AI industry, has trained over 1,000 women in entry-level roles such as data annotation. Ethical treatment of digital micro-workers, data literacy, and the risks associated with generative AI tools are also important concerns. Comprehensive education about the functionality and risks of AI tools is needed, particularly for women. The lack of safety considerations and diverse representation in AI development raises concerns. Users’ unawareness of data utilization in AI tools and cultural stereotypes need to be addressed. Men’s active opposition to sexism is encouraged. Lack of diversity in technology development and governance poses societal risks. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting gender equality and creating an inclusive society in the face of technological advancements.

Nino Gvazava

Upon analysing the provided statements, several noteworthy observations emerge regarding the increasing presence of women in decision-making positions in the tech sector in Georgia. This positive trend reflects a significant shift from the low representation of women in tech observed 5 to 10 years ago. The current landscape now sees women occupying executive-level roles and actively contributing to the transformation of Georgian enterprises into tech-driven entities.

The positive impact of tech-related education targeting women is emphasised as a catalyst for increasing representation in the workforce. Free education, specifically focused on technology for women, has led to a year-on-year improvement in the representation of women in tech careers. The accessibility of such education has been instrumental in empowering women to pursue careers in the sector.

However, concerns are raised about potential gender bias in technology, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) and gender-based assumptions. It is highlighted that tech tools and AI models, predominantly designed by men, can unintentionally perpetuate gender bias if the input data reflects such biases. This issue underscores the need for diversity and inclusivity in the design and development of tech solutions.

Active discussions surrounding cybersecurity and data protection in Georgia are also evident. The focus is on the proper management and governance of data to safeguard against vulnerability. It is asserted that if data is not managed and governed appropriately, anyone can gain access to it, posing risks to individuals and organizations alike.

The analysis also reveals a concerning lack of knowledge and literacy about data protection and risks. The general public is not paying adequate attention to the disclosure of personal data to companies, leading to increased vulnerabilities. Addressing this issue requires greater awareness and education about data protection to mitigate the risks associated with data mismanagement.

On a broader level, it is argued that women must be actively involved in both the design and use of technology. It is highlighted that when women contribute in a positive way to the development and use of tech tools, society benefits as a whole. Education and the presence of role models are identified as critical factors in encouraging more women to enter the tech industry.

Furthermore, the issue of financial equality for women, particularly concerning heritage, is addressed. It is revealed that in Georgia, only 25% of women receive heritage from their parents, while all men do. This disparity limits women’s opportunities for entrepreneurship and business activities. It is noted that financial equality is a crucial component of gender equality.

The analysis also sheds light on the unequal division of family responsibilities between men and women. Research conducted in Georgia indicates that men spend significantly less effort on family work and childcare compared to women. This imbalance leads to women having less time available for their careers and businesses. To address this, there is a call for men to equally contribute at home, allowing women more time to invest in business and economic activities.

Technology is recognized as a potential equalizer, particularly for women, as it enables work from home and flexible schedules. However, it is acknowledged that proper awareness and knowledge about these technologies are necessary to fully harness their benefits.

In conclusion, progress has been made towards gender equality in the tech sector in Georgia, with an increase in women holding decision-making positions. However, ongoing efforts are needed to address potential risks and biases associated with technology. Platforms for discussion and risk management are deemed essential in tackling these challenges and ensuring that the benefits of technology are inclusive and accessible to all.

AS

Adam Sachs

Speech speed

164 words per minute

Speech length

2486 words

Speech time

909 secs

GR

Gina Romero

Speech speed

170 words per minute

Speech length

2201 words

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777 secs

LS

Liana Sargsyan

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139 words per minute

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1576 words

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683 secs

LB

Lina Buchely

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117 words per minute

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1148 words

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586 secs

NG

Nino Gvazava

Speech speed

141 words per minute

Speech length

1356 words

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575 secs