A report released earlier this week by two United Nations bodies, U.N. Women and the U.N. Broadband Commission, says that women are increasingly vulnerable to cyber violence, and suggests that electronic violence can be just as damaging as physical violence, according to an article in Time Magazine.
The report, ““Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls: A Worldwide Wake-Up Call,” notes that women are 27 times more likely than men to experience cyber violence, and estimates that as many as 73% of women have been victims of cyber abuse.
The report extends the traditional definition of violence against women to include digital threats, such as trolling, hacking, spamming, and harassment, and notes that such behaviors can lead to more serious and even lethal consequences.
Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of U.N. Women and an Undersecretary General of the U.N. said that governments need to take three steps to respond to cyber violence: they should become sensitive to the dangers, take safety measures to address potential harassment, and adopt sanctions against abusers. She noted that of 86 countries surveyed for the report, only 26% reported that their law enforcement agencies are prepared to deal with such cyber abuses against women.
In three years, an additional 450 million women worldwide are expected to become online users, with many relying on the internet for professional and educational development.