Technology is rapidly evolving in a concerning direction for women’s rights. How can women safeguard themselves in the online realm where anonymity often enables abuse to go unchecked?
As a vocal woman who uses her columns to shed light on injustices affecting marginalized voices, I face a barrage of abuse across various online platforms, particularly when discussing topics like trans rights. From being labeled a ‘traitor’ to facing mockery for wearing glasses, trolls relentlessly target me with personal attacks, even going as far as sharing private details they unearth online, such as the title of my novel or my nationality.
The incessant stream of derogatory comments shares a common goal: to intimidate and silence women expressing their opinions publicly. Such behavior should not be an inherent risk of being a woman with a voice and a public presence, yet sadly, it has become the norm.
In April 2026, UN Women published a sobering report highlighting the alarming trend of online violence against women and girls. The report exposes not only the targeted harassment faced by women online but also the disturbing rise of misogynistic behavior facilitated by technological advancements, pushing women to retreat from their public roles. It’s imperative to recognize these technological advancements for what they truly are: regressive steps toward fostering hateful misogyny in society.
The digital landscape, often touted as a realm of progress and freedom, has increasingly encroached upon individuals’ privacy without consent. Apps promoting ‘nudification’ and the creation of sexual deep-fakes exemplify this trend, violating women’s autonomy by digitally objectifying them against their will, with the intention of shaming and asserting dominance.
Despite governmental efforts to ban ‘nudification’ apps in December 2025, a clandestine online world persists in circumventing regulations. Shockingly, resources providing guidance on such apps, including their ability to generate NSFW images and facilitate explicit chats, are readily accessible online, perpetuating the dehumanization of women and eroding consent.
The UN Women report starkly illustrates how perpetrators now have access to AI tools enabling ‘virtual rape,’ emphasizing that the repercussions of online abuse are not confined to the virtual realm but have severe psychological impacts on women in public life. Alarmingly, one in four women surveyed reported experiencing AI-assisted abuse.
In response to these threats, 41% of respondents admitted to self-censoring online to avoid abuse, with half of women in public-facing roles, such as writers and communicators, altering their online behavior in the face of online violence. This trend extends to the workplace, with 26% of women admitting to self-censoring in professional settings, highlighting the profound influence of digital harms on women’s actions and choices.
The global reach of these challenges is evident in the report, with accounts from women worldwide facing similar online attacks. From false allegations spread through messaging apps in India to derogatory labels hurled by online trolls, the issue transcends borders, necessitating a unified response to combat online violence against women.
Women should not bear the burden of safeguarding themselves against such attacks, nor should they be coerced into withdrawing from public spaces. It is imperative for major tech companies to be held accountable for providing platforms that enable abusers to disseminate harmful and threatening content.
The responsibility for protection should not rest solely on the victims, perpetuating a culture of victim-blaming and shifting the burden onto survivors to navigate online spaces cautiously or limit their visibility. Nearly a quarter of respondents acknowledged feeling compelled to shield themselves from further victimization by refraining from social media engagement, avoiding contentious topics, stepping back from visible roles at work, or even taking a break from their careers.
The solution does not lie in women retreating from public spheres but in holding tech giants accountable for enabling abusive behavior and ensuring a safer online environment for all users.