What is online gender-based violence?Online gender-based violence refers to the use of the internet, social media apps, and digital technology to perpetuate violence against women. This became an ongoing issue starting as early as the 1990s, as technology began to evolve. The effects of the new form of violence are still felt and extremely prevalent today. Online gender-based violence (OGBV) has now today become a common act of violence in society. Anonymity behind a screen enables perpetrators to act by targeting others using technology, platforms, and systems of violence with little to no consequences. Reasons for online gender-based violenceThe root causes of online violence towards women are deeply rooted in social and cultural elements. It primarily serves as a mirror of the ongoing gender inequity that pervades our culture. The idea that women are inferior to men gives rise to misogynistic attitudes, which result in a sense of entitlement and a desire to dominate and control women. Traditional gender roles and stereotypes, which define societal expectations and sometimes result in abusive behaviour when women dispute or oppose them, further perpetuate this inequity. The anonymity of the internet significantly influences the prevalence of online sexism. Behind the protection of a screen, people feel empowered to act violently without suffering any immediate consequences. Interactions on the internet become less empathic due to this lack of accountability, which fosters the growth of nasty and misogynistic viewpoints. Furthermore, fear of women's empowerment is frequently the root of online sexism. Some people feel intimidated by this change in power dynamics as women advance in various fields. As a result, they turn to online forums to vent their animosity or make an effort to discredit women's accomplishments, continuing a cycle of abuse. Types of online gender-based violence and abuse1. Cyber Bullying and HarassmentCyber harassment refers to the use of the internet, social media, and other technologies to assist in malicious messaging, stalking, and abuse. This can include the spreading of false information, misinformation, and defamation. For women in particular, online sexual harassment is much more prevalent than men, with 33% of young women under the age of 35 reporting having been sexually harassed compared to men at 11%. 2. DoxingDoxing is a non -consensual act of violence consisting of the spreading of personal information about the victim’s address, phone number, workplace, or any other details that can result in harm. Due to the severity of the violence, doxing can become extremely frightening as stalking is the common result when private data is released about the person. Doxing isn’t always perpetrated by personal acquaintances; sometimes it can only take an online squabble to result in a doxing incident. Women are typically at the receiving end of doxing, as it is used to intimidate. However, in recent news, doxing has been used as a humiliation tool against women, weaponising their data to harass and threaten them online and offline. An example of this occurred this month when two girls mocked a woman for taking pictures behind her. This video was uploaded to TikTok, which resulted in a mass doxing incident as many people rallied to support the woman taking pictures. 3. Revenge PornRevenge porn is a form of digital abuse that describes the sharing of intimate photos and videos that aim to violet, harm, and destroy the victim’s livelihood and reputation. This sort of act usually comes from someone close to the victim, an ex-partner, trying to inflict harm or vengeance, Feelings of betrayal, anger, or jealousy can be a root cause of why the release of partners threatens the victim with the release of sexual materials. By releasing personal media, the perpetrator asserts control over the victim. However, we are unaware of the snowball effect this will have on the victim’s life. Emotional distress, a tarnished reputation, and a violation of privacy are just a few hardships victims of this crime face. The current statistic of British men who have kept intimate photos of their ex-partner is currently at 46%. 3. Online impersonationOnline impersonation is the act of creating a fake profile of someone else using their identity. This is done by using someone else’s name, pictures, and personal details. Online impersonation is typically used for defamation; however, in many cases, it is also known as "catfishing," where only the victims’ pictures are used for deception. Most of the time, online impersonations lead to other online violence such as bully, trolling, harassment, and threats. Impersonation on social media is three times more likely to happen to women and girls than to men. Online impersonation can be devastating for victims, as their name and pictures will have been associated with online violence that was not committed by them but by the perpetrator. 4. Hate SpeechHate speech refers to the online discourse of a person or group based on discrimination against ethnicity, race, gender, religion, politics, etc. There are many hateful groups,subcultures andforums dedicated to a range of groups However, many online communities share a similar disdain for women. In these communities, women are called derogatory words, scrutinized, and hated. Even online political groups, whether they are conservative or liberal, have intersectionality with ideologies that promote the violence of women or harmful views that further oppress women. 5. TrollingThe rise in trolling online is imminent and very much ongoing, as more and more people gain access to social media. Often times, trolling can appear lighthearted or masked as a social media joke; however, many men will make use of this excuse in order to create smear campaigns against women under the guise of jokes. Trolling online can be in the form of a Twitter thread,memes, or TikTok's, which aim to target and humiliate. Trolling can create a mob mentality, which allows more individuals to engage in introverted behavior towards the victim, and as there is added anonymity on social media, some people may feel that there is a lack of consequence to their actions. This is a major concern as victims become extremely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of hate they are receiving. How online abuse of women has spiraled out of control,2017 | Ashley Judd Women's Online Safety: Tips for Staying Safe and Secure
After looking at the cause and effects of online gender-based violence, and exploring how the radicalization of boys and men and the rise of toxic masculine ideologies have impacted these acts of violence, it is clear that this is a serious and ongoing problem in society. Although women are not to blame for this problem, it is still helpful to educate and acknowledge how to stay safe online, protect ourselves, and provide support to other women. Ultimately, the real change will have to be the individuals who are involved—male role models, society, and governments—who will have to address the root cause of harmful messages. For now, all women can strive to do is aim for change, while navigating and supporting each other. Author: NAINA B.
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International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital MutilationFemale genital mutilation/cutting (FGM)Female genital mutilation/cutting is a gruelling and barbaric procedure affecting millions of girls across Africa. The surgery involves exposing vulnerable girls by partially or completely cutting their external genitalia. FGM is normally done by untrained individuals, such as female relatives or traditional healers within the community. The procedure is performed for various reasons, including promoting the idea of social acceptance as girls transition into adulthood. However, FGM leaves girls with a scar of trauma and psychological wounds that impact their quality of life. Since the procedure is still practiced in various countries across Africa, education and guidance are needed to stop the alarming rise of female genital mutilation. Psychological impact of FGMFGM has caused a wealth of agony and pain, affecting young girls' mental health. PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression are some of the many consequential and long-lasting factors that girls suffer from. According to research, a mental health practitioner has stated that one of her patients still remembers the trauma thirty years later, highlighting that FGM creates an everlasting cycle of flashbacks and horror. Also, the remembrance of how the procedure is performed can act as a catalyst as to why females experience many psychological disturbances. Many charities specialise in improving the mental health of the victims of female genital mutilation. Safe Hands for Girls, the United Nations, 28 Too Many, and Amnesty International provide resources and support to help girls, including creating community projects and workshops to address the issue and help manage their well-being.  FGM - The debate between Culture and ReligionCulture and religion are two factors that are misconstrued in FGM. The Gambia, an African country with 96% identifying as Muslim, still practices the procedure as they believe it will increase beauty, social status, and purity, which may result in people believing that female genital mutilation ties in with the Islamic faith. However, this idea is void. Many charities, scholars, and those who practice Islam condemn the notion that religion should be used as a justification as to why many females commit this harrowing act. Muslim charity Islamic Relief highlights how Islam disapproves of this practice, as there is no mention of female circumcision within the Quran, and deliberately causing harm to yourself or others goes against Islamic teaching. From this, we can gather that female genital mutilation is a cultural practice instead of a religious one. Charities such as Islamic Relief are helping to challenge this myth by debunking religion as the cause of FGM by empowering girls to understand their rights and reduce gender inequalities. FGM - The Gambian women survivors' storiesThe Gambia is a country swarmmed with FGM cases, with 75% of females having undergone some form of FGM. Though female genital mutilation has devastated the lives of many girls in Gambia, some have been brave enough to share their story. Read and listen to the brave survivors stories; however, there are many untold stories, with victims living in pain and life-threatening scars.  A case of how FGM caused infertilitySainey Ceesay, a Gambian citizen and survivor of female genital mutilation, bravely shares her account of the procedure. She was forcibly taken from her parents as she underwent the surgery. This has affected her many years later, including becoming infertile. Ceesay started The Safe Haven Foundation in 2017 to help women struggling with infertility and bring hope to the women of Gambia. Sainey shared her FGM ordeal with the Deb'bo Unfiltered Podcast. Click here to listen  The Late Sainey Ceesay Jaha Dukureh - FGM Survivor and CampaingerJaha Dukureh, a Gambian women's rights activist, underwent the FGM procedure when she was an infant. Since then, she has successfully led to the ban of FGM in Gambia, which is captured in a documentary, “Jaha’s Promise.” This is her documentary video, shedding light on her campaign against an extreme form of FGM that was deeply rooted in Gambia. Video courtesy: The Guardian Fatou Baldeh, MBE - FGM Survivor and CampaignerFatou Baldeh, MBE, a Gambian native and survivor of FGM since the age of seven, is a strong-willed advocate for helping eradicate female genital mutilation. She shares her heartfelt account of the procedure, revealing how she endured psychological grievances, including recalling how the surgery was performed. Her trauma has inspired her to create an extraordinary foundation. In 2018, Women in Liberation & Leadership (WILL) was formed to help create a welcoming and inclusive environment for girls in Gambia. This programme has helped females recognise the dangers of FGM and violence. Her efforts have resulted in her being awarded an MBE and gaining recognition for her successful FGM campaigns.  Join the FGM campaign - Spread awareness and educate yourselfFGM has affected many girls globally, but are we doing enough to challenge and stop this procedure? Unicef, a charitable organisation helps tackle female genital mutilation by creating informative blogs and articles to highlight how FGM has violated human rights for young females and caused their lives to be in turmoil. Community projects in countries such as Gambia, Somalia, and Kenya have also tackled the spread of FGM by informing members of the local community of the cruelty and biological harm the procedure can cause and eliminating any myths and false narratives. A prominent community project set up in Gambia to increase awareness of FGM includes GAMCOTRAP is an empowering initiative designed to advocate for and end female genital mutilation. They regularly provide training sessions, workshops, and talks to help promote the severity of female genital mutilation and the detrimental consequences it can cause. Other community projects that provide similar help and resources include providing medical training, including counselling to help support victims, and youth empowerment workshops to help young people challenge these harmful practices. So educate yourself, spread awareness, or donate to charities. Together, we can help eradicate and end the violent practice of female genital mutilation. Author: Ruwayda MohamedRuwayda is a student at the University of Westminster, London. She is passionate about girls' and women's rights. Follow our social media handles for updates.Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls This blog is about how we can stop violence against women and make the world a better place for young girls to get the right education for them to prosper, so women can have the life they deserve.
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