Statement at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Today, as we gather under the banner of the 16 Days of Activism, we confront a new frontier in the fight for gender equality—one that is invisible, borderless, and growing at an alarming pace: digital violence against women and girls.

As the world goes digital, we spend most of our lives online; however, the advantage of digital empowerment is being confirmed by the challenges of digital abuse. The issues range from cyberstalking and image-based sexual abuse to online harassment, doxxing, and algorithmic discrimination, the digital space has become a new domain where gender-based violence persists and thriving.

The statistics are glaring. According to UN Women, globally one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime; a figure that now extends into the digital realm.  That is why the ye’s theme is very apt – “The International Year for the Elimination of Digital Violence Against Women and Girls”, emphasising the recognition of the need to urgently address this menace.

Digital violence is not confined to any one country or culture. It affects women across all regions, especially those in public life, journalists, activists, and politicians, who are disproportionately targeted. A 2023 global survey found that 73% of women have been exposed to or experienced online violence, and 90% said it had a negative impact on their well-being. Today, we will hear how it is impacting the lives of women and girls in Sierra Leone, and we would like to thank the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs for giving us the platform for us to hear this. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is worthy of note that digital violence is not virtual; it is real. It silences voices, deflates confidence levels , and drives women and girls out of digital spaces, that should be safe, inclusive, and empowering. It is a direct threat to democracy, development, and human rights.

But we are not powerless.

We must act on multiple fronts:

1)     In terms of policy and regulatory frameworks, Governments must continue to enact and enforce laws that criminalise digital abuse and protect women and girls.

2)       We should have Technology and accountability, whereas mobile companies must be held responsible for the safety of their platforms. Transparency, content moderation, and survivor-centred reporting mechanisms are non-negotiable.

3)       It is imperative to have robust education and digital literacy to equip girls and women with the tools to navigate digital spaces safely and assertively, while also educating boys and men to challenge online hate speech against women and girls.

4)       Finally,  we have to enhance our data and research capabilities. We need better data to understand the scope, scale, and impact of digital violence, especially in low- and middle-income countries where underreporting is rampant.

Your Excellency, Hon. Chief Minister, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 16 Days of Activism is a clarion call to all of us: Development Partners, the UN, Government, and Civil Society. It demands tenacity of purpose and unwavering commitment. As the United Nations, we reaffirm our dedication to building a world where every woman and girl can live free from fear, both offline and online.

Let us build a digital future that is safe, inclusive, and just—for our women and girls.

Thank you.