One of the side events of the 62nd CSW was titled, “Digital Gender Violence and Hate Speech – The Role of Men, The Legislator, and Implications for Democracy”. Held on March 12, 2018, the panel prompted the audience to consider the social and democratic consequences that will exist so long as women continue to be the targets of online abuse.
Recent initiatives like the #MeToo movement prove that the internet can help to create social movements, challenge society, and give the marginalized a space to campaign for their rights. However, the internet can also increase barriers to equal participation online. Research indicates that online abuse and hate speech is rooted in gender; that is, women are disproportionately targeted simply because they are women.
Why is this a problem?
Ms. Maria Run Bjarnadottir, Research at the University of Sussex, urged us to consider the democratic implications. Statistics show that women are already less likely than men to participate in the democratic process. Add the fact that women are being bullied out of the online sphere, and their participation drops even further. In fact, a recent study by Amnesty International indicates that 58% of women stay away from online discussions due to its harsh tone.
Why do states have to think about this?
Despite legal frameworks, something is not working. Legal responses to online abuse and hate speech often miss the harsh reality of misogyny and digital gender violence. These have serious implications not only on women’s participation in democracy but for all civil society.
States have human rights obligations to ensure and guarantee women’s rights online and offline. It’s time we hold them accountable.
*This side event has hosted by The Icelandic Ministry of Welfare in collaboration with the Parliament of Iceland, the Icelandic Women’s Right Association, and the Icelandic National Committee of UN Women
No comments:
Post a Comment