#OrangeTheWorld: Ending Digital Violence against all Women and Girls
Violence against women and girls remains a global crisis. At least one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Online, the picture is even more alarming: 58% of young women and girls have experienced online harassment, and nearly 75% of women journalists have faced online violence, with one in four receiving threats of physical harm.
It was against this troubling backdrop that the event was opened by UN Geneva Director General Tatiana Valovaya and EU Ambassdor Deike Potzel. Other speakers included South African Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi and Dominican Republic Ambassador Ivan Ogando Lora, who each brought insights from their respective regional and national contexts.
"Technology can and should empower women and girls. But technology can also be weaponised. Let me be clear: this is unacceptable. We must do more to prevent it. As we mark these 16 days, let us call out those who disregard basic moral and ethical values; those who misuse the internet space. And let us stand by those who are being targeted and let us make them feel: You are not alone!" -EU Ambassador Deike Potzel
Bringing the perspective of younger generations, French activist Shanley Clemot McLaren shared her journey as a feminist advocate and explained how confronting digital sexism became central to her activism.
"There are now two waves facing each other – a tension that is arising: on one hand, the political momentum to act, and on the other, the current global backlash on digital rights, and more precisely, on women’s digital rights. And now, more than ever, is the time to act. Which wave will be bigger? And I strongly believe that this is the battle of our decade. We need to face big tech & social media platforms that violate our rights. We need to face the growing pressure to deregulate them. We need to stay strong, stand firm, to protect the citizens and the women and girls of our countries." – Shanley Clemot McLaren, laureate of the Young Activist Summit
To bring the issue of digital gender-based violence to life, participants of the event took part in a symbolic activity: one by one, they removed printed examples of real hate comments that women and girls frequently receive online from a large panel. The comments covered insults, threats and stereotypes, all common forms of online harassment.
Participants were then invited to actively “reclaim” the digital space. Using stickers shaped as hearts, likes and claps, along with short personal commitments, they filled the panel with messages of support and encouragement. In just a few minutes, the wall transformed into a vibrant display of solidarity, reflecting International Geneva’s shared commitment to creating safe and empowering digital environments. The event concluded with a group photo capturing this united pledge.
The event underscored the growing political momentum to tackle online gender-based violence and the need to turn international commitments into concrete action. In this light, the EU continues to invest substantially in global action against gender-based violence. Through its more than 500 million dollar investment in the Spotlight Initiative, the EU has helped double conviction rates for gender-based violence across 13 countries, strengthen over 540 laws and policies, and support nearly 3 million women and girls with essential services. In 2024, the EU also adopted its first-ever Directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence, including online abuses such as cyberstalking, cyberharassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
As the 16 Days campaign continues, the EU Delegation encourages all partners, institutions and individuals to join the global effort to end digital violence against women and girls.
EUDEL
EUDEL
