Gender-based violence is a global pandemic, a seemingly bottomless pit of heinous crimes with few solutions. South Asian socioeconomic structures, gender norms and patriarchal traditions form a solid foundation for gender-based violence. Lifelong intimate partner violence is 35% in South Asia higher than the global average. While we have had a steady discourse on domestic violence and public safety issues related to gender-based violence, the growing problem of technology-enabled sexual and gender-based violence (TFSGBV) has been largely ignored. What is the threat of TFSGBV? Can politics help or does the answer lie elsewhere?
The silent evil of TFSGBV is spreading rapidly
TFSGBV refers to violence that occurs or is amplified through digital tools and platforms. Their manifestations are diverse and evolving every day as we stand on the cusp of the boom in generative AI tools. Existing forms include Zoom bombing or Zoom flashing, in which intruders post racist, sexist or pornographic materials in online gatherings. Image-based abuse includes the non-consensual creation, distribution or threats of images or sexual material – with AI, image modification is increasing. TFSGBV can cause physical and sexual harm, while the more indirect and invisible effects are psychological, emotional, economic or social harm.
TFSGBV can cause physical and sexual harm, while the more indirect and invisible effects are psychological, emotional, economic or social harm.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by TFSGBV, exacerbating other forms of violence that already burden the community, from harassment to intimate partner violence. Queer communities, widely marginalized in the real world across South Asia, are known to seek refuge in the digital world – be it for support or expression. TFSGBV poses a far more dangerous threat to such marginalized communities as we have been unable to strengthen on-the-ground support for them, leaving them cornered in the digital space. Digital spaces have not only created new forms of expression and commerce, but have also introduced new forms of abuse, exacerbating existing challenges in the fight for gender equality and security.
Source: FII
TFSGBV is an emerging field that requires more attention and research. There are inconsistencies in definition and measures as organizations still struggle to understand the extent. It is difficult to measure and track the impact of TFSGBV because terms such as cyberviolence, cyberaggression, digital abuse or online victimization are used instead. In 2022 United Nations recognized TFSGBV as a global problem requiring an immediate international response.
The Report 2023 “Uncovering Technology-Enabled Gender-Based Violence in the Age of Generative AI” focused on how new technologies have amplified gender-based violence and accelerated it through generative AI tools. While it is important to identify and categorize the forms of violence perpetrated on digital platforms, without policy recommendations and actionable measures, it would all be in vain.
Solidarity networks, CSOs and community-based approach
As TFSGBV gains traction worldwide, it is important to examine the rise in this violence South Asiacolored by its cultural context. TFSGBV is often used interchangeably as online gender-based violence, cyber violence, online harassment or cybercrime. There is a gap regarding TFSGBV in both research and advocacy areas. Social divisions in countries like India based on caste, religion or socio-economic positions are worsening online. In many ways, it is a continuation of offline violence against vulnerable communities.
Solutions for South Asia must consider the many intersections of these vulnerable communities. The existing social divisions also lead to unequal access to tools and protections against online violence. Therefore, it is crucial to provide community-based solutions alongside the policy-level interventions undertaken by global networks. For example, India has the IT Act and cyber harassment sections of the Penal Code that address aspects of the TFSGBV, but delays and obstacles in implementation and enforcement weaken their effectiveness. Improved research on TFSGBV in South Asia will help organizations and practitioners formulate policy interventions and advocacy.
Improved research on TFSGBV in South Asia will help organizations and practitioners formulate policy interventions and advocacy.
South Asian countries have experienced the positive impact of a community-based approach in promoting health and safety. There are countries in this area that pursue regressive and restrictive policies that limit access to solutions and security – solidarity networks play an irreplaceable role in these cases. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a leader Fight against SGBV on the subcontinent and one of their most effective intervention models is embedded in the local.
Source: FII
Its Member Associations (MAs) are based in local communities and work to prevent violence and provide clinical care for SGBV using gender-responsive principles. Community based Approaches have been shown to reduce adverse health outcomes and provide life-saving services. Due to easier access and a local network, service usage is also higher. This approach is particularly popular in resource-poor environments because it provides an integrated service in a single location. The cooperation between the providers also ensures comprehensive support and support.
Female based Grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) have proven effective in implementing the necessary measures to prevent and combat gender-based violence. Civil society organizations understand community-specific contexts and challenges and provide culturally relevant, timely interventions. Safe housing, psychosocial counseling, medical care, legal assistance and livelihood training are some proven holistic services that have proven effective.
Global solutions, local action – comprehensive sensitivity
Local networks are very important for the diverse populations of South Asian countries as they enable targeted interventions and ensure accessibility for specific groups. Despite evidence of improved response, there is insufficient research on community-based responses to sexual violence. There is an urgent need for in-depth qualitative studies to understand this approach and make necessary changes for specific areas – such as TFSGBV.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) were found to play a critical role in improving community responses to SGBV. Given that TFSGBV exists in the digital space, it would be beneficial to test the benefits of ICT in combating it. One of the problems that community-based solutions face is the lack of robust testing. These programs also require scaling and integration into larger frameworks. Therefore, a concerted effort between policy interventions and community-based solutions is required to address the current scenario.
Given the increasing prevalence of TFSGBV, which continues to change rapidly with generative AI, comprehensive strategies are the need of the hour.
Given the increasing prevalence of TFSGBV, which continues to change rapidly with generative AI, comprehensive strategies are the need of the hour. These strategies cannot be developed or implemented in silos. Law enforcement agencies, technology companies, policymakers and civil society (through solidarity networks, civil society organizations and community-based approaches) would need to come together and make a concerted effort to create safer digital spaces. It is of utmost importance that policy interventions are not limited to state governance, but are also used in the private companies developing the digital space.
Source: FII
Last month marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment made at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. Beijing 30+ reaffirmed the global commitment to preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG). Alongside issues such as climate change, urbanization and youth health, TFSGBV has been highlighted as an urgent issue requiring attention. Member States and private sector actors were called upon to act in line with the Platform’s priorities. Beijing+30 reaffirmed the global pledge for women’s freedom from violence.
Priorities include strengthening legal frameworks, increasing support for survivors, ensuring accountability of both perpetrators and platforms, strengthening feminist movements, formulating gender-sensitive policies and providing collaborative solutions that bring politics and community together .
This article was written by Sohini Sengupta as part of the #16DaysofActivism collaboration with IPPF South Asia Region.