The session was hosted by Padma Raman (Head of Australia’s delegation to CSW70) and brought together government representatives, international organisations, and civil society advocates to discuss strategies for addressing digital harms affecting women and girls.
The event focused on how governments and institutions are strengthening regulatory frameworks, policy responses, and education initiatives to address online abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The panel included contributions from:
- Kellie Coombes – Minister for Women New Zealand
- Pio Smith – United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Chanel Contos – Teach Us Consent
- Selina Kuruleca – Permanent Secretary for Education Fiji
- Mims Davies – Minister for Women UK
The discussion examined a range of national strategies and policy initiatives designed to strengthen protections for women and girls online. Particular focus was placed on addressing technology-facilitated abuse, improving justice responses, and increasing accountability for digital platforms.
Sweden outlined measures being implemented to respond to online abuse and strengthen protections against technology-facilitated violence, including regulatory and policy approaches aimed at improving digital safety.
Australia highlighted several initiatives currently underway to address digital harms. These included the implementation of world-first legislation designed to significantly reduce children’s exposure to harmful content on social media platforms. Presenters also referenced the work of the eSafety Commissioner and initiatives led by Australia’s Chief Safety Officer aimed at combating online abuse, addressing misogyny among young men, and strengthening digital accountability frameworks.
Australia’s progress in this area was acknowledged by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The organisation highlighted three key elements required for effective digital safety governance:
- Regulations should be grounded in human rights principles.
- Effective responses require multiple interventions across legal, social, and educational systems.
- Regulatory frameworks must remain “SMART”, meaning adaptable and responsive to rapidly evolving technology.
New Zealand outlined its implementation of the Harmful Digital Communications Act, noting that the country has applied a gender lens to digital policy frameworks. It was also highlighted that stalking—both online and offline—has been formally recognised as a criminal offence.
Emerging Issues
Several important trends were identified during the discussion:
- The normalisation of online abuse has resulted in some women and girls not recognising that they are victims or survivors of digital violence.
- Research indicates that 90–95 per cent of deepfake images involve the female body, demonstrating the disproportionate gendered impact of this form of digital abuse.
- Participants emphasised the importance of engaging men and boys in conversations about gender equality as a critical component of preventing gender-based violence.
The session concluded with a powerful contribution from the UK minister, who shared her personal experience of having deepfake images circulated on social media and receiving death threats in an attempt to silence her. Her remarks underscored the severe personal and political consequences of technology-facilitated abuse and reinforced the urgency of coordinated international action to strengthen digital safety.
The Digital Safety Side Event highlighted the growing global recognition of technology-facilitated gender-based violence as a significant policy and human rights issue. Discussions emphasised the need for comprehensive approaches that combine regulation, education, platform accountability, and cultural change to ensure safer digital environments for women and girls.
This discussion aligns with Soroptimist International’s ongoing commitment to protecting women and girls from violence and the importance of strengthening global efforts to prevent and address all forms of gender-based violence.
