Digital violence is real violence: #NoExcuse for online abuse

Digital abuse is rising fast, yet most of it goes unnoticed and unreported. From cyber harassment and stalking to doxing, deepfakes, and gendered disinformation, these attacks spread fear, damage reputations, and silence women’s voices. In the worst cases, they lead to offline violence and even femicide.

Women in leadership, politics, and journalism are among the most targeted. One in four women journalists report online threats of physical harm, forcing many to reduce their visibility or leave public life altogether.

What happens online doesn’t stay online. Digital spaces must be treated as real spaces where rights and safety apply. Until they are safe for all women and girls, true equality will remain out of reach.

Alarming Statistics

•  90–95% of online deepfakes are sexual images of women
• 28% of women interviewed across Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and South Africa reported experiencing online violence 
• 42% of female African parliamentarians said they had received death threats, rape threats, or threats of beating or abduction online
• In South Africa, 95% of online aggressive behavior and abusive language targets women and girls

Legal Gaps and Accountability

Shockingly, fewer than 40% of countries have laws addressing digital violence, leaving nearly 1.78 billion women and girls without legal protection. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 25% offer legal protection. While nations like South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Eswatini, Mauritius, and Rwanda have introduced cybercrime legislation, enforcement remains weak, and gender dimensions are often overlooked.

Justice systems are ill-equipped, reporting is low, and perpetrators act across borders with almost no consequence. The rise of AI-generated abuse—impersonation, sextortion, targeted harassment—has made things worse.

A critical moment for action: What needs to happen now and how 

• Stronger laws and enforcement against digital violence.
• Cooperation with tech companies for platform accountability.
• Funding for women’s rights organizations to support survivors.
• Digital literacy programs for women and girls.
• Investment in prevention to challenge toxic online behaviors.

Without urgent action digital spaces will continue to amplify violence and inequality, threatening progress toward gender equality, peace, and development. Platforms must also step up by removing abusive content quickly and improving reporting systems. 

Laws alone aren’t enough. Everyone needs practical tools to stay safe online, knowing how to protect accounts, recognize abuse, report it, and support those targeted. Education matters too: teaching young people respectful online behavior and guiding parents and schools on how to respond when abuse happens.

Join the 16 Days conversation on social media: use #NoExcuse and #ACTtoEndViolence.