Technology is rapidly advancing, presenting challenges for women’s rights in the digital realm. How can women safeguard themselves online, especially when anonymity enables abuse to occur without consequences?
As a vocal woman expressing opinions through my columns, I bring attention to injustices affecting marginalized voices. In my role as a commentator discussing misogyny, I face online abuse from various sources.
Critics label me a ‘traitor’ for supporting trans rights, while others ridicule my appearance, focusing on my need for glasses. Alarmingly, some individuals share personal details found by searching my name online, such as the title of my novel or my nationality.
The relentless comments all share a common goal: to intimidate and silence. This should not be an expected part of being a woman with a public platform and opinions, yet it has become a reality.
A recent report by UN Women in April 2026 highlighted the alarming trend of online violence against women and girls. Women are not only targeted online but also face a surge of misogynistic behavior facilitated by technological advancements, pushing them to withdraw from public roles.
The digital landscape, touted as a realm of progress, has shifted towards invading privacy without consent. Apps promoting ‘nudification’ and sexual deep-fakes strip women of their autonomy by digitally exposing them against their will, aiming to shame and exert control.
Despite the government’s efforts to ban ‘nudification’ apps in December 2025, these harmful practices persist online. There is easily accessible advice online, including ratings of such apps based on their ability to produce NSFW images and facilitate explicit chats using AI-generated content.
This dehumanizing trend reduces women to objects for sexual gratification, disregarding their consent both in the digital realm and beyond. The report from UN Women warns that perpetrators now have easy access to AI-assisted ‘virtual rape.’
Viewing online abuse and ‘virtual rape’ as isolated from the real world is a misconception. The psychological impact of these actions extends far beyond the digital sphere, with one in four women surveyed reporting experiences of AI-assisted abuse.
To protect themselves, 41% of respondents admitted to self-censoring online to avoid abuse. Women in public roles, including writers and communicators, disclosed self-censorship on social media in response to online violence, with a significant number altering their behavior at work.
The global scale of this issue is evident from accounts like that of a woman in India who faced false allegations and abuse from online trolls. Despite some victims reporting online violence to the police, the burden of protecting oneself often falls back on the survivor, fostering a culture of victim-blaming and shaming.
A considerable percentage of survey respondents felt compelled to shield themselves from further victimization by limiting their online presence, refraining from discussing controversial topics publicly, or shifting to less visible roles at work. Women should not feel pressured to retreat from public roles; it is imperative for tech companies to be held accountable for enabling abusers to spread harmful messages unchecked.
