16 Days of Activism – Role of Technology in Gender-Based Violence

During the 16 days of activism, which started on November 25th on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and will end on December 10th on the International Day of Human Rights, the WFAD Gender Working Group is publishing statements every day highlighting issues faced by different specific populations while continuing to highlight the topic of this year: UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls

Gender-based violence and substance use are strongly interlinked. The negative health impact the experienced violence has on the survivor can lead to substance misuse. Additionally, substance use perpetrator often accelerates violence. Therefore, each statement, calling for preventing and eradicating gender-based violence, also calls for substance use prevention as well as sensitised and comorbid treatment.

In a world with increased use of technology, which is only continuing to grow, it is important to highlight the gender-based violence perpetrated online. Whereas both genders face cyberviolence, women face it in more significant numbers. Gender-based violence facilitated through digital technology can take many forms, such as cyber harassment, bullying, stalking, sex trolling, exploitation, revenge porn, and threats of rape, sexual assault, or murder (Binder and Poulton 2021, Council of Europe n.d.). The most recent development in cyberviolence is ‘deep fakes’, which are AI-generated fake photos, and is used to silence and shame women (Sanusi 2021). The violence can be perpetrated by [ex-]partners, colleagues, and schoolmates. However, most often it is perpetrated by anonymous individuals, which increases the difficulty to speak up about and report the case (Council of Europe n.d.). Perpetrating violence is easier in an online space than in a physical space. As there is wider accessibility to others online than in person, a woman can face harassment by many.

Overall, cyber violence has an immense impact on women. It not only limits the women’s right “to express themselves equally, freely, and without fear, women are often silenced” (Council of Europe n.d.). It often causes lowered self-esteem or a loss of self-confidence due to “stress, anxiety, or panic attacks after experiencing online abuse or harassment” (Ibid). It can also lead to deter them from digital participation in political, social, and cultural life, increasing the gender gap already existing online. Additionally, online gender-based violence is dangerous as not enough rules, regulations, and monitoring procedures exist for cyber violence leading to perpetrators often not facing any consequences for their harmful actions (Sanusi 2021).

Plan International conducted a survey, asking 14000 girls and young women from 31 countries about their online experience. The “results indicated that 58% had experienced online harassment, with half saying they faced more harassment online than in the streets” (Sanusi 2021). Generally, girls seem to be targeted with violence for just their gender and age. However, the experienced violence increases for women and girls “who are politically outspoken, disabled, black, or identify as LGBTQIA++” (Ibid). Research by UNICEF showcased that the COVID-19 pandemic also impacted cyberviolence negatively. As technology saw an increase in use, an increase in the non-consensual sharing of images, online sexual exploitation and abuse, and harassment and threats were seen parallelly.

Using Technology in Prevention Measures

Technology has many dark sides as shown above but it has also many potentials. Therefore, it is important to use the opportunity to use it in prevention efforts. For example, online support sources can be developed that are easily accessible for survivors and specifically designed for their needs. It would need to be built upon the foundation of ethical standards and protocols within the gender-based violence prevention and response framework while ensuring that digital safety and privacy standards are met (Binder and Poulton 2021).

Binder and Poulton (2021) shared six examples of ways “apps and digital platforms are being used to end gender-based violence and promote gender equality”.

Tech for prevention – technology can raise awareness and mitigate a user’s risk of violence. There are two examples of apps that are designed to prevent and reduce the risk of GBV.
Safetipin – This app crowdsources and maps real-time data from users to provide public safety information. It utilises location safety scores to help users to plan their routes and find safe places to stay.
Ec Shlirë – This app enables users to discretely report instances of sexual harassment. The reports are visualised on an interactive map and shared with authorities.
Tech as a peer – Technology can also be used as a peer, which is accessible for support when gender-based violence has been experienced.
Maru – This is a chatbot released by Plan International supporting girls and women who are experiencing, witnessing, or tackling online harassment by providing real advice and resources from experts and activists.
Tech as a safe space – Technology as a virtual safe space can facilitate access to information and services in a way that is safe, culturally appropriate, and accessible to users, even when physical services are limited.
Tech as a safeguard – By integrating discreet gender-based violence information and referral details to those seeking help or disclosing the risk of violence on websites, technology can act as a safeguard.
UNICEF has started to integrate keyword recognition of high-risk words and phrases, such as “rape”, “hit”, or “fear”, inputted by users on chatbots. It will be programmed to trigger an automated safeguarding flow of GBV and psychosocial support information including details on services.
Tech as a guide – Technology can act as a guide by sharing information on how to best respond to gender-based violence survivors.
GBV e-pocket guide – This is an app that provides humanitarian practitioners with information on how best to support survivors when there is no GBV expert of service available.
Tech as a response – Technology can be used to improve gender-based violence service provision, reach, and response quality.
Primero/GBVIMS+ – This is an open-source tech solution for GBV case management. The system, including a mobile app, improves the quality of care for survivors in emergency contexts, with safe and confidential data collection, electronic case referral, and remote collaboration between caseworkers and supervisors.
ROSA – This app provides vital training and knowledge exchange for staff supporting people affected by gender-based violence.
Medicapt – This app captures court-admissible forensic evidence from survivors of sexual violence and securely transmits data to police, lawyers, and judges.
VictimsVoice – This app enables survivors to record incidences of abuse in a way that is safe, secure, and legally admissible.