Beirut: Lebanon today joins the world in launching the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, shining a spotlight on one of the fastest growing threats to women's safety: digital violence. The United Nations System in Lebanon, in partnership with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and UN gender and gender-based violence partners, launches a nationwide campaign under the theme: 'UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.'
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, digital violence is a real and growing threat that harms women and girls every day. One in three women worldwide experiences violence in her lifetime, and today, abuse follows women into digital spaces. As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, this year's campaign calls attention to online harassment, cyber-stalking, deepfakes, non-consensual images, and other technology-facilitated abuses escalating at an alarming speed.
A 2021 UN Women study found that almost one in two women internet users in the Arab States feel unsafe online due to harassment and other forms of digital abuse. In Lebanon, 80% of reported victims of digital violence between 2020 and 2023 were women, according to the Internal Security Forces (ISF).
The First Lady of Lebanon, Mrs. Neemat Aoun, President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, emphasized the urgent need to address digital violence. She called for collective efforts to adopt laws that criminalize these acts, ensure accountability, and provide survivors with essential services. Raising public awareness is critical to ensuring society rejects digital violence and reports it, aiming to secure safe and empowering online spaces for all women and girls.
The campaign urges governments, tech companies, donors, media, and individuals to take urgent action. Governments must pass and enforce laws to criminalize digital abuse and protect privacy. Tech companies should enhance platform safety and respond swiftly to reports of harm. Donors are encouraged to support feminist and digital-rights organizations leading prevention and protection efforts. Individuals must speak out, support survivors, and challenge harmful behaviors online.
Imran Riza, UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, stated that digital violence is a growing threat to women's rights and safety, silencing voices and reinforcing discrimination. The campaign is a call to act, aiming to reclaim digital spaces as places of safety, dignity, and equal participation for all women and girls in Lebanon and beyond.
The campaign launches with a powerful video featuring Lebanese artist Maritta Hallani, amplifying the voices of survivors and urging action to make digital spaces safe for all. Gielan Elmessiri, UN Women Representative in Lebanon, noted that digital violence may unfold behind screens, but its impact is painfully real. Ending digital violence involves believing survivors, holding perpetrators and platforms accountable, and taking action both online and offline.
The 16 Days Campaign originated from the 1991 Women's Global Leadership Institute and is a global call to end violence against women and girls everywhere. Each year, governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations, artists, activists, and communities mobilize to raise awareness, demand accountability, and drive change.