# United Nations: Digital Violence Against Women Is Real Violence  Silhouettes placed by mothers, relatives of missing persons and victims of femicide, feminist collectives, and various organizations are seen while they protest in various streets of Mexico City, Mexico, on November 25, 2024, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world. (Photo credit: Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images November 25 marks the [International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women](https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day), a U.N. day designated to focus on the issue of violence against women and girls and to call for more and more effective action to combat it. Over time, the day has evolved into a global, widespread initiative that now incorporates [16 Days of Activism](http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism) and the [UNiTE](http://www.un.org/en/women/endviolence/) campaigns. The 2025 theme for this U.N. Day focuses on the issue of **digital violence**. As the U.N. stresses, violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women has been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives. The online world poses various threats to women, too. Indeed, digital tools are increasingly being used to abuse women and girls, including by way of image-based abuse/non-consensual sharing of intimate images (so-called revenge porn), cyberbullying, trolling, online threats, online harassment, **AI-generated deepfakes** such as sexually explicit images, deepfake pornography, and digitally manipulated images, videos or audio, doxxing (publishing private information), online stalking or surveillance, online grooming and sexual exploitation, and much more. These acts, while happening online, often lead to offline violence, including coercion, physical abuse, and even femicide. Digital violence targets women more than men, and especially those with public or online visibility – such as activists, journalists, women in politics, human rights defenders, and young women. According to the data collected by various U.N. agencies: * [38% of women have experienced online violence, and 85% have witnessed digital violence against others.](https://www.unfpa.org/thevirtualisreal) * [Misinformation and defamation are the most prevalent forms of online violence against women](https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/a-79-500-sg-report-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-2024-infographic-and-recommendations-en.pdf). 67% of women and girls who have experienced digital violence reported this tactic. * [90 – 95% of all online deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic images,](https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/a-79-500-sg-report-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-2024-infographic-and-recommendations-en.pdf) with around 90% of these depicting women. * [73% of women journalists](https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/a-79-500-sg-report-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-2024-infographic-and-recommendations-en.pdf) reported experiencing online violence. As the U.N. emphasized, “Violence against women on online platforms is, today, a serious and rapidly growing threat that seeks to silence the voices of many women—especially those with a strong public and digital presence in fields such as politics, activism, or journalism.” This form of violence is said to be on the rise. This is due to several factors, including, “weak technological regulation, a lack of legal recognition of this type of aggression in some countries, the impunity of digital platforms, new and fast-evolving forms of abuse using AI, movements opposing gender equality, the anonymity of perpetrators, and the limited support for digital victims.” ### **The Evolving Digital Landscape and the Need for Vigilance** In today's interconnected world, the digital space has become an extension of our physical lives. For businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fanpage administrators, this presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While social media and online platforms can be powerful tools for marketing, customer engagement, and brand building, they also expose users, particularly women in public-facing roles, to new forms of harm. At [Maika](https://maika.ai/), we understand the complexities of the digital frontier. Our **AI-powered solutions** are designed to help businesses navigate this landscape safely and effectively. We recognize that the proliferation of **AI-generated deepfakes** and other forms of digital manipulation, as highlighted by the UN's focus on digital violence, poses a critical threat not only to individuals but also to the integrity of online discourse and business reputation. ### **Maika's Role in Fostering a Safer Digital Environment** While the UN calls for stronger laws and platform accountability, proactive measures are essential. For businesses, this means understanding the risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them. This is where **Maika** comes in. Our technology is at the forefront of analyzing and understanding the digital information ecosystem. We are building tools that can help: * **Detect and flag potentially harmful content:** While not a direct moderation tool for abuse, our analytical capabilities can identify patterns and anomalies in online content that might be indicative of malicious activity. This aids in a broader understanding of the digital sentiment and potential risks. * **Analyze public perception and sentiment:** Understanding how your brand and its messaging are perceived online is crucial. Our AI can help analyze sentiment around your brand, identifying potential areas of concern or misinformation that could impact your reputation. * **Provide actionable intelligence:** For businesses focused on growth and outreach, staying informed is key. We can help filter and categorize vast amounts of online data, allowing you to focus on relevant insights and trends, much like the RWA Times article focuses on structuring financial news. This allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve, not just in their market, but also in understanding the broader digital environment. ### **Empowering Businesses in the Digital Age** In 2025, the [UNiTE campaign to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls](https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/theme) aims to mobilize all members of society to address online violence against women and girls. Among others, governments must end impunity through stronger laws, including laws that criminalize such violence, including the production and sharing of explicit images or videos that have been digitally manipulated, and strengthen the capacities of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute such crimes effectively. As it stands, fewer than 40% of countries have laws protecting women from cyber harassment or cyber stalking. This leaves [44% of the world’s women and girls – 1.8 billion – without access to legal protection](https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2025/11/digital-violence-is-intensifying-yet-nearly-half-of-the-worlds-women-and-girls-lack-legal-protection-from-digital-abuse). States could also strengthen accountability by implementing positive obligations for technology intermediaries to proactively detect harmful content and provide a safe and respectful environment online. Furthermore, technology companies must do more to address such violence. Among others, they must develop strong policies and standards to guide responses to such violence, including strengthening content moderation policies, codes of conduct and responses to reports. However, there is also a role for every user of the internet and social media. It starts with understanding that virtual abuse is real and it has a real impact on victims/survivors. ### **Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility** The UN's message is clear: digital violence is a serious and growing threat that demands our collective attention. For business owners and fanpage administrators, this translates to an increased need for digital literacy, robust online safety measures, and a commitment to fostering respectful online communities. At [Maika](https://maika.ai/), we are committed to empowering businesses with the insights and tools they need to thrive in this complex digital world. By leveraging the power of AI, we aim to help you not only achieve your business objectives but also contribute to a safer, more transparent, and more equitable digital future. **Is your business prepared for the evolving digital landscape? Discover how Maika can provide the intelligence you need to navigate online risks and opportunities.** [Learn More About Maika's AI Solutions](https://maika.ai/)
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