Society loses when women are pushed out of online spaces

As women assume more prominent roles in politics, business and society, the environments they inhabit are regrettably not as secure as they ought to be. The UAE's Safe-T Initiative, introduced in Abu Dhabi recently, merits attention beyond the technology realm. This program, under the leadership of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, acknowledges that online abuse has evolved into a significant issue.

This can deter women from participating in online spaces, which in turn affects the entire society. The implications extend far beyond the individual who is targeted, impacting entrepreneurs, educators, and political candidates who may avoid public engagement due to online threats. This concern is especially pertinent in regions where women's involvement in public and economic life is growing.

Morocco's National Observatory for Protection Against Digital Violence reported that at least 10 female candidates in their recent election faced online abuse, a statistic that, while seemingly small given the 2,658 registered female candidates, is still unacceptable. Studies by UN Women indicate that 60% of female internet users in Arab states have experienced digital violence, with high-profile women facing abuse 27 times more often than men.

The advent of advanced technologies, such as deepfakes and synthetic voices, has exacerbated the problem, making it more challenging to combat. Traditional solutions, like reporting abusive posts, are inadequate when abuse becomes sophisticated and crosses boundaries between platforms and jurisdictions. Both the private sector, governments, law-enforcement agencies, and civil society must collaborate to address this issue.

The Safe-T framework, unveiled at the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, outlines nine strategies, including digital literacy, improved law enforcement, victim support, and technology-sector accountability. However, the real challenge lies in the implementation phase, where stakeholders will be evaluated based on their outcomes and ability to prevent women from having to choose between their online presence and personal safety.

Failing to prioritize this issue is no longer an option as women increasingly assume high-profile and consequential positions in society amidst increasingly anonymous and threatening online environments.