{
  "id": 11092917,
  "title": "Society loses when women are pushed out of online spaces",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/society-loses-when-women-are-pushed-out-of-online-spaces",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/editorial/2026/10/01/women-online-safety-technology-crime-un-uae/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As women assume more prominent roles in politics, business, and society, the online environments they inhabit are increasingly unsafe. This has led to the UAE's Safe-T Initiative, introduced in Abu Dhabi, which deserves attention beyond the tech industry. The initiative, led by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, acknowledges that digital abuse is a broader issue than just offensive social media posts. Threats, blackmail, harassment, and defamation can compel women to abandon online spaces entirely. This has far-reaching implications for society, as entrepreneurs may refrain from promoting their businesses, educators may limit their public presence, and political candidates may avoid campaigning due to online abuse. In a region where women's participation in public and economic life is growing, such attacks have become even more prevalent. Morocco's National Observatory for Protection Against Digital Violence reported that at least 10 female candidates in the recent election faced online attacks, a small percentage of the 2,658 registered female candidates, but still unacceptable. According to UN Women's research, 60% of female internet users in Arab states have experienced digital violence, with high-profile women being 27 times more likely to face online abuse than men. As technology advances, the problem is becoming more complex. The rise of deepfakes, manipulated images, synthetic voices, and convincing fake identities has introduced new methods to intimidate and discredit prominent women. Traditional responses, such as reporting abusive posts, are no longer sufficient when abuse now spans multiple platforms and jurisdictions. The Safe-T framework addresses this by incorporating nine strategies, including digital literacy, stronger law enforcement, victim support, and technology-sector accountability. While the implementation process is challenging, stakeholders will ultimately be judged by their results and how they can inform responses to online threats, blackmail, or impersonation. Ultimately, women should not have to choose between expressing their opinions online and ensuring their safety. As women assume more high-profile and consequential roles, it is crucial not to overlook this issue.",
  "summary": "Morocco’s appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the Arab world’s second female prime minister is a reminder of how women’s participation in public life continues to grow. However, as women take on greater roles in politics, business and society generally, the spaces in which they participate are not as safe as they should be. That is one reason why the UAE ’s Safe-T Initiative launched in…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE's Safe-T Initiative addresses digital abuse beyond social media posts",
    "At least 10 female candidates in Morocco's recent election faced online attacks",
    "Deepfakes and synthetic voices introduce new methods to intimidate women online"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The growing online abuse of women, particularly high-profile ones, threatens to undermine their participation in public and economic life, making initiatives like the UAE's Safe-T framework crucial to ensuring their safety and voices.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Society loses when women are pushed out of online spaces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/society-loses-when-women-are-pushed-out-of-online-spaces-11095535",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}