Global unity against GBV and femicide in the digital era

As Nordic ambassadors to South Africa, we joined the global call during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

- By Anna Karin Eneström, Pekka Metso, Karin Poulsen and Gjermund Sæther

This year's theme, “End digital violence against all women and girls”, highlights the urgent challenge of technology-facilitated abuse.Despite 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to gender equality adopted by 189 countries, violence against women persists—now amplified online.

Globally, it is estimated by the Economist Intelligence Unit that one in three women experiences gender-based violence (GBV), and 85% of women surveyed had encountered online violence, including harassment, sextortion, and non-consensual sharing of intimate content.

Alarmingly, 97% of child sexual abuse imagery reported online depicts girls.

According to a study done by the Human Science Research Council, South Africa faces one of the highest GBV violence rates worldwide:

• Over 51% of women report having experienced GBV in their lifetime.

• Femicide rates are five times higher than the global average; a woman is murdered every three hours.

• 117 rapes are reported daily, yet 95% of cases go unreported.

Digital abuse is disproportionately impacting women and girls and limiting their opportunities to participate fully in society.

While all women and girls may experience online abuse, some groups face heightened risks.

Young women and girls, who rely on technology for education and social connection, are particularly vulnerable.