18th January 2024, the roundtable discussion “Catalyzing Change for a Safer Digital World” by Women Political Leaders (WPL) in collaboration with Airbnb and HateAid at the 2024 World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland.
This roundtable discussion aims to identify and harness the collective influence of women political leaders, technology representatives, NGOs and other stakeholders to actively shape policies combating online gender-based violence, combat deepfake threats, and address the spread of disinformation. The overarching goal is to push for collective action for the creation of a safer digital world for all.
As the world increasingly moves online, violence that disproportionately affects women and girls in offline spaces is mirroring its presence in the digital realm. The proliferation of digital technologies is giving rise to novel forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Cyber-violence, with impacts rivaling its offline counterpart, detrimentally affects the health and wellbeing of women and girls. Beyond individual harm, it exacts serious economic, social, and political tolls. Gender-based cyber-violence, particularly severe for women from ethnic minorities, women with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ individuals, inflicts enduring consequences on victims and imposes significant societal costs. Moreover, it casts a shadow on democracy by dampening women’s participation in public and political spheres.
