Digitalisation and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Digitalisation for SDG 5.2 (End Violence): Exploring Implications, Opportunities and Threats

Even today, statistics indicate that one in three women (Devries et al., 2013) and one in four adolescent girls is likely to experience physical or sexual violence. The lives of girls and women are undermined by violence, harm, neglect, exploitation, and abuse. On the one hand, this is a serious violation of women’s rights, capabilities, and well-being and on the other hand, it also severely undermines women’s freedom and agency. 

Change agents all over the world are employing innovative digital ways to address both online and offline violence against women, signalling hope for a safer world. As a result of digitalisation, they are also engaging more, and with more people – both men and women. Moreover, social media platforms offer new, limitless ground for activism and discussion of issues surrounding VAWG. Unsurprisingly, these spaces themselves are rarely safe and can quickly become a breeding ground for malicious crimes, especially against women and girls. While being better connected surely elevates participation, it also presents its own challenges, such as new and injurious forms of victimisation. The imbalanced distribution of artefacts (e.g. smartphones) and skills (to handle them) has also reinforced digital divides, especially between men and women. A serious digital divide means that women cannot access channels and resources that could reduce their risk of experiencing violence. For instance, during the coronavirus pandemic, this divide has created a deeper gulf in access to social services in domestic violence.

Join us as we discuss Sustainable Development Goal 5b and 5.2, with its ambition to enhance the use of enabling technologies to promote the empowerment of women. Let us understand the causes of Violence Against Women better and design solutions to give us hope in an increasingly digitalised world!

Register here.

Enquiries: site4society@merit.unu.edu

For questions about our research on digitalisation and violence against women, please contact Praachi Kumar (kumar@merit.unu.edu)

Peace Oliver Amuge - Executive Director at Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

Gabriel J.X. Dance - Deputy Investigations Editor at The New York Times

Praachi Kumar, Doctoral Research Fellow at United Nations University - MERIT

Julieta Marotta - Academic Programme Director at United Nations University - MERIT

Shyama V. Ramani - Professorial Fellow at United Nations University - MERIT