Requiem for the Macho: Building a Tech-Driven Haven for Our Daughters
Diana Daniels
Chief Executive Officer | Founder | Board Member | Telecom | Blockchain | Financial and Labor Inclusion | Stanford GSB | Linked In Top Voice Executive Management | TEDx Speaker
The Path to a World Without Gender Violence: Driven by Technology
Gender violence is a scourge that persists worldwide, eroding the dignity, freedom, and autonomy of millions of women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 736 million women, or one in three, have experienced physical or sexual violence inflicted by an intimate partner or sexual assaults carried out by third parties. The global pandemic, while we want to think is already in the past it revealed to be a devastating issue, and the future of the fight against gender violence is largely driven by technology.
Gender Violence: Revealing Data
It is essential to understand the extent of the problem. More than 640 million women aged 15 or older, which equates to 26% of the total, have been victims of violence from their current or former husbands or partners. Moreover, Latin America and the Caribbean are home to 14 of the 25 countries with the highest rates of femicides in the world, with higher femicide rates per 100,000 women in Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Apps for Violence Against Women: A Shield in Your Pocket
As we move towards the future, technology emerges as a crucial ally in eradicating gender violence. However, the lack of a common definition of tech-facilitated gender violence has made the collection of comparable global data difficult. Despite this, available national and regional data confirm the high incidence of cyberbullying and online violence.
In the European Union, one in ten women has suffered cyberbullying since the age of 15, which includes unwanted emails or SMS messages, sexually explicit or offensive content, as well as inappropriate contacts on social media. In Arab States, a regional study revealed that 60% of female internet users in the region had been exposed to online violence in the last year.
But could technology help prevent gender violence?
In the digital age, chatbots are emerging as silent warriors in the fight against gender-based violence. These AI-driven tools offer resources, guidance, and a listening ear to those affected. With the surge in their development, are we on the brink of a tech-led revolution to protect and empower? This is the mission undertaken by @holasoyvioletta a chatbot that calls itself "I am your digital confidante." In our latest episode on Futureamos , we feature the Co-Founder of this tool, Sasha Glatt , with whom we discuss how new technologies could end gender violence and eradicate machismo.
With this significant uptick in mobile applications designed to tackle gender violence. The apps, often developed in collaboration with NGOs, tech innovators, and survivor networks, serve multiple functions: from offering a discreet SOS button, connecting victims to local resources, to providing platforms for education and awareness. Notable examples include:
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Economic and Social Costs of Gender Violence
Gender violence not only has a devastating human cost but also a significant economic impact. In the European Union, the annual cost of gender violence is estimated at about 366,000 million euros, with 79% of this cost related to violence against women.
In countries like Vietnam, direct expenses and loss of income due to gender violence account for almost 1.41% of the GDP. Also, women who suffer violence earn 35% less than those who don't, negatively impacting the national economy.
In Egypt, around 500,000 workdays are lost annually due to spousal violence, and the healthcare sector bears a cost of over 14 million US dollars to attend to only a quarter of the survivors.
Despite the challenges, technology has the potential to be a transformative force in the fight against gender violence. Technological innovation could enhance early detection, prevention, and support for victims. Global collaboration is vital to turn this potential into reality and work together towards a world without gender violence, where technology becomes a protective shield for women and girls.
In this digital age, technology offers promise, progress, and unprecedented opportunities to challenge and change societal norms. As stewards of the future and leaders in our respective industries, we bear a profound responsibility. The women of today — our colleagues, our partners, our friends — and the women of tomorrow — our daughters, nieces, and future leaders — look to us for action.
Every innovative tool, every piece of technology we harness against gender violence, paves the way for a world where women can thrive without fear. Let's not just envision a safer world; let's actively create it. Join us in this imperative journey, invest in technology-driven solutions, and champion the cause in your organizations. Together, we can shape a legacy of safety, respect, and equality for today's women and all the generations to come
Spoiler alert: Don't miss our amazing Futureamos podcast where we had the opportunity to chat with Sasha Glatt co founder of @holasoyvioletta and we spoke about the real actions toward a future without gender violence, totally worth it!