United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for urgent global action to end violence against women and girls, emphasizing the growing threat of online abuse in the digital age.
In a message marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Guterres said digital technology is amplifying the reach and impact of gender-based violence, turning online spaces into unsafe environments for women and girls.
“Online harassment, deepfakes and hate speech are proliferating,” he said. “Misogynistic content is moving from the margins to the mainstream. And violence that begins in the digital world can spill over into the physical – in the form of stalking, abuse, even femicide.”
The U.N. chief urged governments to criminalize digital violence and increase support for survivors. He also called on technology companies to make their platforms safer and more accountable, and for communities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to online hate.
“We cannot allow digital spaces to be yet another place where women and girls are unsafe,” Guterres said, adding that this year’s focus on online protection is a critical step toward a safer future.
On the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a landmark global agreement on women’s rights, Guterres called for renewed unity and commitment. “Together, we can build a world free of fear where every woman and every girl can thrive.”
