Digital violence against women human rights defenders is escalating into the real world

Author: Peter Clarkin, MA

December 19, 2025

HRRC strongly condemns the use of digital violence towards women human rights defenders and journalists. The increased level of threat towards women online must be acknowledged, with greater pressure put on governments to ensure that perpetrators of online violence are held to account.

[Image source: Stock photo via UN Women]

The recent publication of a study developed by UN Women in collaboration with UNESCO, has laid bare the frightening rise of online violence against women journalists and human rights campaigners. The dramatic increase is coupled with an escalation of online violent acts in daily life.

The global study received responses from over 600 women, in over 100 countries, to reveal an online world that is becoming increasingly unsafe for women who work in human rights. 

70% of women human rights defenders, activists and journalists have been subjected to online violence while working in this field, according to the report. Online violence can take the form of cyberbullying, online threats, or acts of violence, and that are amplified by communication technologies such as social media and digital media. Acts of online violence are being utilised by both state institutions and non-state actors, and have been shown to have an especially significant impact on women and girls. 

While the threat of online violence cannot be understated,  the report makes clear that online violence is increasingly extending into real world threats. According to the study, 41% of the women surveyed believe that there is a link between the online violence they have faced and attacks, abuse or harassment they have experienced offline. When compared to a previous 2020 UNESCO study, this represents an increase of over 20% in offline violence experienced by women suffering from online attacks over the last five years.The UN has attempted to raise awareness of the seriousness of these issues with their campaign, “16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. This year’s campaign reiterates that digital spaces should serve to empower both women and girls, and has called upon major tech companies to increase the representation of women within their offices to handle online safety.

The campaign has also urged governments to introduce stronger laws against online violence and more intensive monitoring to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.  

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Glossary

• Activists – people who take action to bring about social or political change

• Alarming – causing worry or concern

• Amplified – made stronger, louder, or more widespread

• Cyberbullying – using the internet or digital tools to harass, threaten, or intimidate someone

• Digital violence – harm or abuse carried out through digital technologies, such as online threats or harassment

• Empower – to give someone more confidence, ability, or control over their own life

• Escalation – an increase in seriousness or intensity

• Monitoring – closely watching or tracking a situation over time

• Non-state actors – individuals or groups that are not part of a government, such as companies, armed groups, or organisations

• Perpetrators – people who carry out harmful or illegal actions

• Reiterated – said again to emphasise something

• State institutions - official bodies that run a country, such as governments, courts, or police

• Tech companies – businesses that develop or manage digital technology and online platforms

• UN Women – a United Nations agency that works to promote gender equality and women’s rights

• UNESCO – a United Nations agency that supports education, science, culture, and freedom of expression

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 Sources

1. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-survey-reveals-rising-violence-against-women-journalists

2. https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2025-12/tipping-point-the-chilling-escalation-of-violence-against-women-in-the-public-sphere-in-the-age-of-ai-en.pdf

3. https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/technology/online-violence/

4. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/act

5. https://www.eco-business.com/press-releases/seven-in-ten-women-human-rights-defenders-activists-and-journalists-report-online-violence/

6. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375136.locale=en

7. https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/16-days-of-activism