As part of 16 Days of Activism from November 25th to December 10th, the local Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) brought together key stakeholders and allies for an intergenerational dialogue on ending tech-facilitated gender-based violence on Saturday.
YAG Representative, Sapphire Alexander, explained the dynamic risks that the digital space adds to gender-based violence, especially for young women and girls.
“We are living in an age where harmful gender norms, where stereotypes are moving from the offline into the online spaces. Divisive algorithms are fueling extremism and empowering those who view women and girls as less than. And they are amplifying messages of hate, domination and violence. We are seeing the rise of folks like incels who weaponize tech platforms to attack marginalised communities. And the increase in use of methods like doxing, image-based abuse, deep fakes and sextortion.”
With 1.8 billion women and girls living with no legal protections from digital violence, legal strategist and youth advocate, Jemiah Prince, envisions an evolving legislative framework.
“When we look at specific bills such as the Sexual Offences Act. Recent amendments such as Section 30 speak to harassment. But when we look at the scope and language within those provisions, we question, Does that adequately extend to technology-facilitate gender-based violence? We see just like society is a continuing reflection of morals and values that evolve, so too should be our legal instruments.”
And local convener of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Terry Ince, reminded that change starts at home.
“So, let’s talk to our young people, educate them. So, that they cannot be, one, perpetrators, and more importantly, they are also not, I hate to use the word, victims. But victims, unknowingly. So, I think if we all do that with one person, I think the word would get out. Don’t be afraid of technology, you cannot get away from it. AI is here, we can’t run away from it. We just have to know how to use it wisely.”
The Youth Advisory Group of the UNFPA hopes that this discussion is the first of many, and that we can all continue to build processes that are socially inclusive, gender-sensitive and intersectional.