Description: In a joint statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Freedom of Expression, it was stated that: "The internet should be a platform for everyone to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, but online gender-based abuse and violence assaults basic principles of equality under international law and freedom of expression. Such abuses must be addressed urgently, but with careful attention to human rights law." Private sector actors, including internet service providers and social media companies, often fail to act in cases of online GBV. Violence against women in politics (VAWP) online, and online violence against women (OVAW) more broadly is an especially damaging violation of internet freedom, because it is intended to silence women’s voices and prevent them from exercising their civic and political rights.This session will address key policy questions relating to tackling this pernicious, and exclusionary harm, including:
1) Who has responsibility for addressing gender inequalities online?
2) What international / UN action should / could be taken to address gender inequalities online?
3) Are SDGs a helpful framework for achieving this?
4) What factors should be driving policy at an international level to tackle gender inequality online?
5) How do we ensure that Internet governance processes are truly inclusive? What needs to be done to enhance the capacity of different actors (and especially those in developing and least-developed countries) to actively contribute to such processed and whose responsibility is it?
The session will start with brief statements from panellists, before opening up to a wide-ranging debate with shared experiences, solidarity and discussions relating to practical measures and policy recommendations that can be acted upon to create lasting, and meaningful change.
Expected Outcomes: Violence against women online is one of the newest violations of human rights and internet freedom to be recognized by the United Nations. By sharing the latest research and legal policy responses, this panel will raise awareness of this issue among a key audience that might otherwise not be exposed it. Bridging the space between "traditional" human rights advocacy and frontline digital activism, the panel is intended to provoke brainstorming, idea-sharing and solidarity.