IGF 2023 WS #566 Internet hatred and violence against women: The hateful Net

Subtheme

Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety
New Technologies and Risks to Online Security
Online Hate Speech and Rights of Vulnerable People

Organizer 1: Millenium Anthony Malamla, 🔒
Organizer 2: Athanase Bahizire, ITU Generation Connect
Organizer 3: Qasim Pirzada, 🔒falcon youth learning platform
Organizer 4: Edgar Brutyan, ISOC

Speaker 1: Millenium Anthony Malamla, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 2: Kateryna Bovsunovska, Technical Community, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: deepa bhattarai, Government, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Denise Leal, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 5: Temilade Adelakun, Technical Community, African Group

Moderator

Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group

Online Moderator

Qasim Pirzada, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization

Rapporteur

Edgar Brutyan, Civil Society, Eastern European Group

Format

Round Table - 60 Min

Policy Question(s)

1. How can policies be implemented to address and mitigate online abuse targeting women, including cyberbullying, trolling, and other forms of harassment?
2. How can access to online resources and opportunities be expanded to ensure equal participation for women, considering the existing barriers and restrictions they face?
3. How can transparency and accountability be enforced within digital institutions and social media platforms to combat online hate, harassment, and the objectification and sexualization of women?

What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants in the session addressing the unique challenges faced by female internet users will gain valuable insights and tools. They will develop a deeper understanding of the specific forms of online abuse targeting women, such as cyberbullying, trolling, and denial of opportunities. Participants will grasp the tangible consequences of online hate, including the objectification and sexualization of women, as well as restricted access to resources. Empowered by this knowledge, attendees will learn strategies to foster inclusivity and equal participation for women online. They will recognize the importance of redesigning internet platforms, implementing transparency, and enforcing accountability to create safe spaces that empower women. By showcasing speakers from diverse backgrounds and experiences, the session will offer a well-rounded and inclusive discussion, allowing participants to gain a broader understanding of the issues at hand and encouraging them to take action in their own spheres of influence.

Description:

When in online spaces, female internet users encounter a different horrifying situation. As many STEM fields and positions are historically built within the frame of patriarchy, there are users and creators of systems and policies who are biased with misogynistic tendencies, discrimination, and online abuse that is widespread and unaccounted for. This is the cause and effect of the exclusion of the needs of women on the Internet.
Female internet users face a different appalling situation when in online spaces, The cause and effect of exclusion of the needs of women in the internet, historically the internet as many STEM subjects and positions are built within the spectrometer of patriarchy, where users and creators of systems and policies are biased with misogynistic tendencies, discrimination and online abuse that’s rampant and unaccounted for.
Hate against women online has real-world repercussions with trolling, cyberbullying, sexualizing and objectification of women seen in content and denial of access that women are qualified for. An inclusive rethinking of the internet's designs is effective because it grants accountability to ensure that online resources are used equally and protects women. With social media amplifying the case, Transparency and platform accountability policies should be implemented for safe spaces for women's expression and empowerment for equal participation as innovators, decision-makers, and significant users building digital institutions.

Expected Outcomes

The session will offer participants a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women in online spaces. It will serve as a platform to exchange experiences and share research findings, fostering a collaborative environment. Additionally, the session will generate policy recommendations aimed at creating safe online spaces for women. Participants will have the opportunity to share their diverse perspectives on addressing these issues, empowering women in decision-making processes. The session will produce a policy brief based on the recommendations discussed, as well as an advocacy toolkit. This toolkit will serve as a practical resource, equipping individuals and organizations with guidelines, case studies, and strategies to advocate for gender equity and the establishment of secure online environments for women

Hybrid Format: To ensure equal opportunities for participation and interaction, the speakers in the session will alternate between those who will be present in person and those who will be speaking online. To increase engagement and participation during the session, we will use Mentimeter presentations and other online tools and platforms, like virtual whiteboards and Google Docs, allowing real-time polls, questions and answers activities.
We will strive to create an environment that encourages active engagement and dialogue, with opportunities for both onsite and online participants to share their perspectives and contribute to the conversation. This will also be made possible by the presence of online and onsite moderators who can actively share their inputs.