The Sinister World of Tech-Facilitated Abuse: How the Smartphones in Your Pocket are Fueling a Global Epidemic of Violence Against Women
SHOCKING STATISTICS REVEALED
- 16% to 58% of women have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence. That’s a staggering 4 out of 10 women, just a few clicks away from cyber abuse.
- 73% of women journalists have fallen victim to online violence. That’s a chilling reality in the age of the 24/7 news cycle.
THE CSPIECES OF TERROR
Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, the leader of South Africa’s delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has taken a stand against the scourge of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (GBV). Speaking at the IPU’s Forum for Women Parliamentarians, she called on parliaments to take urgent action to prevent, eliminate, and respond to this menace.
THE FACE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Technology-facilitated GBV is the use of technology to commit violence, intimidate, or exploit individuals, often women and girls. It’s a form of digital patriarchy, where the powerful prey on the vulnerable. It’s a global issue that refuses to be silenced, despite the stories of survival and struggle told by its victims.
THE ITCH TO CONTROL
"The world continues to grapple with a significant gender equality problem, and the emergence of artificial intelligence systems holds the potential to perpetrate and exacerbate this issue," warned Mtshweni-Tsipane. "Of particular concern is technology-facilitated gender-based violence − a rapidly-spreading problem that evolves with each new technological advancement."
CALL TO ACTION
Mtshweni-Tsipane urged parliaments to step up and enact legislation that combats tech-enabled GBV. "We must take proactive measures to address the use of artificial intelligence in perpetuating gender-based violence, and ensure our laws and policies effectively keep pace with these evolving challenges."
IS YOUR SMARTPHONE A TOOL OF TERROR?
The choice is ours. Act now to stop the spread of tech-facilitated GBV. Join the fight against digital patriarchy.
