In Focus: International Women's Day 2023 and CSW67

This International Women’s Day, 8 March, join the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women in global solidarity under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. 

In the digital age, violence against women and girls is exacerbated by information and communication technologies and takes new forms (from revenge porn to zoom bombing, from doxing to cyber harassment, etc.). Online and technology-facilitated violence can lead to real threats and physical attacks that have disastrous short and long-term consequences on the lives of women and girls. Over the years, civil society and women’s rights organizations have adapted and equipped themselves to be able to prevent and respond to this emerging phenomenon. They have advocated for stronger legislation and policies against online violence, they have developed new services for survivors of online violence and have raised awareness through campaigns and sensitization activities about the risks of using the internet and technology-based interventions. 

Civil society and women’s rights organizations also understand the powerful potential of innovative technologies to contribute to ending violence against women and girls. As much as technology can facilitate threats of violence, it is also a crucial tool for prevention, monitoring and response. Online tools, apps and websites can have been developed to advocate for women and girls’ right to live free from violence, to create new safe spaces for women to connect, share and learn or receive support services. New technologies can also be used to collect crucial data and to report all forms of violence against women and girls. In addition, civil society and women’s rights organizations have also used digital activism and online advocacy campaigns to achieve their goals and amplify women’s voices. 

This International Women’s Day, join the UN Trust Fund in celebrating and supporting civil society and women’s rights organizations leading positive, long-lasting change offline and online. 

IN STORIES

Civil society and women’s rights organizations are leading positive change around the world to address various forms of violence against women and girls. Some of the UN Trust Fund grantees have decided to use innovative technologies and online tools to better empower and respond to the needs of survivors and advocate for long-lasting change in favor of women’s human rights.