The 146th IPU Assembly and the call to protect women and girls from cyberattacks and cybercrimes

Co-authored by Helga Fogstad, Executive Director, PMNCH and Mohit Pramanik, Technical Officer, Campaigns and Partner Engagement, Countries and Regions, PMNCH

At the recently concluded 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, 1,700 parliamentarians from 140 countries gathered to discuss inclusion and peaceful societies. One of the major topics was ‘Cyberattacks and cybercrimes: The new risks to global security’, from a gender perspective. ?

The advent of digital technology has opened up new possibilities for women and girls to access education, finance, and work opportunities, breaking down access barriers and gender stereotypes. However, it has also increased cyberviolence, including stalking, harassment, misinformation, defamation, sextortion and other forms, with women and girls being disproportionately affected.[1] [2]

The overall prevalence of cyberviolence against women is 85%, with younger women being at a higher risk.[3] For instance, a report by Plan International shows that 58% of girls experience online harassment, and girls are more likely than boys to experience cyberbullying.[4]?The impact of this gender based violence is devastating, leading many to self-censor, fear for their privacy and security and retreat from online spaces, thereby exacerbating the gender digital divide.[5] ?

PMNCH considers gender equality as a cornerstone to protecting the rights of women and girls. To prioritize the needs of marginalized women and girls, traditionally among the most discriminated and marginalized population groups worldwide [6], governments must pay special attention to safeguarding their rights. As the caretakers of human rights, justice, and equality, parliaments have a crucial role to play.

?PMNCH therefore recommends to parliamentarians that:

·????????Cybersecurity laws and policies be made gender-responsive, and existing laws and policies that address discrimination against women be expanded to protect women and girls from online gender-based violence;

·????????Relevant laws and policies be made more adolescent-responsive.?The dimensions to address include: fostering connectedness, positive values and healthy relationships; creating a safe and supportive environment, and promoting agency and resilience – all of which can be useful for combatting cyberbullying;

·????????Governments should strengthen the overall national legal systems to protect the rights of?adolescent girls by, among others, ensuring that existing laws and policies targeting cyberviolence are effectively implemented by all government departments and agencies.

We thank the Inter-Parliamentary Union for convening parliamentarians to have discussions on some of the thorniest issues facing the global community and continue to urge parliamentarians, in their efforts to leave no one behind, to prioritize the needs of marginalized women and girls.

[1] https://www.undp.org/eurasia/blog/cyberviolence-disempowers-women-and-girls-and-threatens-their-fundamental-rights

[2] European Institute for Gender Equality. 2022. Combatting violence against women and girls

[3] https://onlineviolencewomen.eiu.com/

[4] https://www.oecd.org/gender/data/girls-are-more-exposed-than-boys-to-cyberbullying.htm

[5] European Institute for Gender Equality. 2022. Combatting violence against women and girls

[6] UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). 2016. Human Development Report 2016: Human Development for Everyone. New York.