The internet has become an active breeding ground for Online Gender-based Violence (OGBV) against women. Every week, without her consent, a woman is dragged under a spotlight to be insulted and criticised by people on the internet. It’s no longer a surprise when we log into our social media accounts and see a woman being ‘dragged’ or doxxed for expressing views or actions that the internet does not agree with. The recent introduction of AI has even made matters worse, as we can all see, in real-time, how the technology has been weaponised to exact violence against women on the internet.
For as long as the internet exists, violence against women might never stop, but we can all agree that being a passive bystander in the face of this violence plays a major role in its enablement.
As a society, we need to join our hands together and work towards minimising the digital violence against women, and here are reasons why we believe that your voice matters.
1. Silence Amplifies Harm
If we keep saying ‘not my circus, not my monkey’ every time we see a woman getting attacked on the internet, the violence will never stop, and if it does not, there might come a day when it will reach your doorstep. Don’t wait for that day to arrive before you decide to take action.
2. It Prevents Escalation
Calling out the ‘joke’ before it becomes a full-blown harassment campaign helps a lot, and we think you should normalise saying ‘I don’t think that’s funny’ when a misogynistic joke is made towards a woman.
3. The Victims Feel Less Alone
Knowing that someone is on their side helps victims of digital violence feel less fear and shame. It can also give them enough confidence to fight back.
4. Sets Boundaries for Future Purposes
The more we publicly call out this violence, the less normalised it becomes.
5. Creates a Safer Space
Protecting girls and women from digital abuse automatically means creating a safe space for them to thrive without fear of being attacked.
6. A Cultural Shift Can Start With You
By calling out perpetrators of online violence, reporting their accounts, and participating in any discussion that frowns upon online gender-based violence, we will be able to promote an online culture that does not tolerate violence against women in any form.
See something harmful on the internet? Don’t just scroll. Endeavour to take action against the perpetrators or visit the Kuram website. Kuram is a platform by TechHer that listens, records, and responds when women face abuse online. Powered by a network of over 150 lawyers, Kuram holds survivors’ hands as they access justice through digital channels and the legal system. If you or someone you know has dealt with digital harm this year, you don’t have to face it alone. Visit kuramng.org to learn more or get support.
