Geneva: UN Women's Policy Specialist on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, Yeliz Osman, has warned of a growing global crisis involving online violence directed at women in the public sphere. In a press briefing held in Geneva, Osman highlighted concerning statistics, indicating that seven out of ten women human rights defenders, activists, and journalists have encountered online violence, as revealed by the latest findings.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Osman delivered her remarks as the world observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10, culminating in International Human Rights Day on December 10. She announced the launch of a new report titled "Tipping Point: The Chilling Escalation of Violence against Women in the Public Sphere," which warns that online abuse is increasingly leading to offline attacks.
Osman pointed out that 70% of surveyed women reported experiencing online violence in their professional roles, drawing attention to the alarming rise in offline harm linked to digital abuse, especially among women journalists. The report shows a significant increase in offline attacks reported by women journalists, with figures rising from 20% in 2020 to 42% in 2025, indicating a growing gap in legal protections and prevention measures.
Moreover, Osman highlighted the increasing role of AI-assisted online violence, stating that one in four participants had been targeted with abuse amplified by generative artificial intelligence. This includes deepfake imagery, manipulated videos, and AI-generated disinformation. She stressed that these tools are being used to discredit and silence women, posing a risk of driving them out of public life and away from critical professions like journalism and politics.
Osman called on governments to address the legislative gap, noting that only 40% of countries have laws that tackle digital violence, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive legal frameworks to protect women from online abuse.