UN Women warned that online harassment and intimidation targeting women is rapidly increasing worldwide, urging stronger laws, greater tech-sector accountability and better support systems to prevent digital abuse from escalating.
UN Women marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Tuesday with a warning that digital spaces are becoming increasingly dangerous for women and girls.
The agency said online harassment, threats, and abuse have become a daily reality for many women, and cautioned that such attacks can quickly escalate into real-world violence.
UN Women highlighted a sharp rise in the leaking of private images, location tracking, and targeted misinformation campaigns aimed at intimidating or silencing women.
It added that the spread of misogynistic content is fuelling hate speech and disinformation, shaping negative public attitudes and influencing how future generations perceive women and girls.
The organization urged governments to adopt stronger laws and called on technology companies to take greater responsibility in detecting and removing harmful content.
UN Women also pressed for increased support for survivors of gender-based violence, including those affected by digital abuse.
Meanwhile, the agency said that making online platforms safer is a critical step toward protecting women’s rights and preventing violence in all its forms.
