85% of Women experience violence online – UNFPA Executive Director laments
By Chima Azubuike
Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, says no fewer than 85 percent of women experience violence online.
Kanem, who quoted the Economist Intelligence Unit, described the need to curb violence as urgent priority, following the number of persons involved
According to an address shared on her behalf by Lanre Bajowa, at Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, On this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that this year’s theme for 16 days of activism“UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, she called upon governments and allies to act now to end violence against women and girls.
Kanem said, “UNFPA stands with its UN partners and the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNITE Campaign in Stopping the spread of violence facilitated by technology has become an urgent priority. The online world is awash in harassment, hatred and abuse, some of which spills over into non-virtual spaces with deadly consequences. An astonishing 85 percent of women experience or witness violence online, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.
“The shares are even higher in places where gender inequality remains most deeply entrenched. And the abuse and harm may be compounded due to intersecting factors, such as race, disability and religion. Our gender-based violence prevention and response measures must also take these factors into consideration.”
While revealing various attempts at steming the tide, the Executive Director said UNFPA’s bodyright campaign is galvanising global awareness of how corporate logos and other copyrighted material enjoy greater protection online than human beings.
“It has helped launch a diverse global movement to stop technology-facilitated violence, one that links women’s rights activists with government regulators and private-sector tech providers. Created just one year ago, the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, which includes UNFPA among its leaders, is already driving new partnerships, visibility and action.
“Mounting signs of change are evident in new online safety legislation in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has adopted tools to equip service providers to respond to technology-facilitated violence. Tunisia has launched an app to help young people safely navigate the online world. Argentina has integrated the issue into comprehensive sexuality education curricula,” she added.
On her part, Gombe State Commissioner for Women Affairs Naomi Awak, while commending the House of Assembly members for passing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP), and Child Protection into law expressed optimism that it would be assented by the governor.
Awak, commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the first lady; Asma’u Yahaya, and development partners for amplifying the voices of children, women and the oppressed.
She called for support for survivors saying, “This 16 Days, we’re encouraging everyone to get involved: from amplifying the voices of survivors and activists to supporting women’s organizations and strengthening feminist movements, we can all act to empower survivors, reduce and prevent violence against women and girls, and protect women’s rights.
“This indeed is a great achievement to the State; I want to also commend civil society organisations and the press for pushing for the actualisation of the two laws.”
