New report shows rise in violence against women journalists and activists linked to digital abuse

More than two-thirds of women journalists, rights defenders and activists have reported violence online, with over 40% saying they have faced real-world attacks linked to digital abuse, according to a study published Tuesday by UN Women and partners.

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The report focuses on an escalation in violence targeting such women alongside the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, and draws on input from more than 6,900 human rights defenders, journalists and activists in 119 countries.

The study by UN Women, the United Nations agency that promotes women’s rights, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, and partners follows a similar report by the U.N. cultural and educational agency UNESCO in 2021.

"Online violence against women has become a growing global crisis," UN Women said. "What begins on a screen can quickly fuel harassment, intimidation and even real-world harm."