Join Hands To Fight Against The Digital Violence Towards Females

The International Day, Elimination of Violence Against Women is celebrated on November 25th of every year to end Violence against Women and Girls. This year, United Nations Fund for Population Activities, (UNFPA), is fighting against digital bullying towards women and girls all around the globe.

Cyber bullying, online harassment, blackmailing and online stalking is no stranger to the girls and women across Maldives. In fact, these violence’s perpetrated online occur so often that it is somewhat considered to be normal in our country.

The prevalence of cyber-violence is dangerously alarming. It is unrelenting, without boundaries, and frequently anonymous. According to one estimate, 85 percent of women online have either experienced or observed it. As with other forms of violence, survivors may experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

On the internet, perpetrators may threaten and stalk women. They can attach photographs of women's and girls' faces to sexualized bodies without permission and spread them publicly on social media for years. Women in prominent positions, such as politicians and journalists, as well as women's rights advocates, are mainly the targets of vicious internet hate speech and harassment campaigns.

Even though it is insistent, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centered essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.

So join UNFPA, Maldives in their 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from November 25^th to December 10^th ,2021, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign: ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!’ and voice against the violence!