Session
Organizer 1: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Organizer 2: Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 1: Meganne Lorraine Boho, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Melodena Stephens, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: David Wright, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Jochen Michels, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Maria Losyukova, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Melodena Stephens, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: David Wright, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Jochen Michels, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Maria Losyukova, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The workshop on the important internet policy issue of combating online gender-based violence will combine a panel discussion and a roundtable. The aim is to share best practices, explore potential opportunities for cooperation, and gather feedback from attendees. For this reason, a roundtable setup is particularly well-suited to encourage discussion and exchange. Additionally, given the combination of information sharing, feedback, and active dialogue, sufficient time is necessary to ensure a thorough and meaningful conversation. In planning this event, we have drawn on our experience from previous years, which followed a similar format. Through this process, we continually seek to improve discussion management, expand interactive elements, such as online and onsite surveys, and ensure the active involvement of all participants.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The workshop on the important internet policy issue of combating online gender-based violence will combine a panel discussion and a roundtable. The aim is to share best practices, explore potential opportunities for cooperation, and gather feedback from attendees. For this reason, a roundtable setup is particularly well-suited to encourage discussion and exchange. Additionally, given the combination of information sharing, feedback, and active dialogue, sufficient time is necessary to ensure a thorough and meaningful conversation. In planning this event, we have drawn on our experience from previous years, which followed a similar format. Through this process, we continually seek to improve discussion management, expand interactive elements, such as online and onsite surveys, and ensure the active involvement of all participants.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can multistakeholder cooperation in combating online gender-based violence be strengthened?
B. How can cost-effective, high-quality educational initiatives and awareness-raising activities be developed, with the involvement of all stakeholder groups, and scaled up effectively?
C. What regulatory measures are most effective in fighting online gender-based violence and how can global governance standards be established to address this issue?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain insight into the challenges of combating online gender-based violence and learn how various stakeholder groups can work together to eliminate technology-enabled abuse, creating a safer digital world for all. Best practice examples will be shared, highlighting ways to foster collaboration and innovation. The workshop will also discuss awareness-raising activities, educational initiatives, and basic technical measures. Furthermore, participants will receive information on existing initiatives and how they can get involved and help advance them. Practical suggestions will be offered on how they can contribute at local, regional, and global levels to prevent this type of violence and ensure that digital opportunities are used in a self-determined and secure way.
SDGs
Description:
Online gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls, has surged in recent years, posing serious risks to their safety and well-being. This includes threats, such as cyberstalking, stalkerware, cyberbullying, hate speech, sexual exploitation, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and revenge porn. The rise of social media and the rapid advancement of AI technologies have intensified these dangers. What all forms of online gender-based violence have in common is the exploitation of technology to harm others and limit their ability to navigate the digital world freely, safely, and securely, thereby preventing them from fully benefiting from these technologies. Tackling online gender-based violence requires a collaborative approach, involving the public sector, tech companies, digital rights and feminist movements, service providers for those suffering from gender-based violence, civil society, academics, and, crucially, the victims themselves. The workshop will explore the contributions that these various stakeholders are currently making and could make in the future. It seeks to raise awareness of the issue, highlight experiences from initiatives, such as the “Coalition Against Stalkerware”, and explore innovative approaches for collaborative actions at local, regional, and global levels. The objective is to create practical proposals for multistakeholder initiatives that respond to current trends, especially in areas like awareness-raising, education, technical skills, and the development of technical, social, and political measures. Drawing from the experiences of collaborations and projects, the goal is to demonstrate how guidance and support for those affected can be developed and made accessible, how the right stakeholders can be brought together to ensure the success of such initiatives, and how to elevate the issue of combating online gender-based violence as a priority for all parties involved. The discussion will also include recommendations for policymakers, the necessary technical solutions to prevent misuse, and the governance standards required to address this issue effectively.
Online gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls, has surged in recent years, posing serious risks to their safety and well-being. This includes threats, such as cyberstalking, stalkerware, cyberbullying, hate speech, sexual exploitation, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and revenge porn. The rise of social media and the rapid advancement of AI technologies have intensified these dangers. What all forms of online gender-based violence have in common is the exploitation of technology to harm others and limit their ability to navigate the digital world freely, safely, and securely, thereby preventing them from fully benefiting from these technologies. Tackling online gender-based violence requires a collaborative approach, involving the public sector, tech companies, digital rights and feminist movements, service providers for those suffering from gender-based violence, civil society, academics, and, crucially, the victims themselves. The workshop will explore the contributions that these various stakeholders are currently making and could make in the future. It seeks to raise awareness of the issue, highlight experiences from initiatives, such as the “Coalition Against Stalkerware”, and explore innovative approaches for collaborative actions at local, regional, and global levels. The objective is to create practical proposals for multistakeholder initiatives that respond to current trends, especially in areas like awareness-raising, education, technical skills, and the development of technical, social, and political measures. Drawing from the experiences of collaborations and projects, the goal is to demonstrate how guidance and support for those affected can be developed and made accessible, how the right stakeholders can be brought together to ensure the success of such initiatives, and how to elevate the issue of combating online gender-based violence as a priority for all parties involved. The discussion will also include recommendations for policymakers, the necessary technical solutions to prevent misuse, and the governance standards required to address this issue effectively.
Expected Outcomes
The workshop will address the key challenges in combating online gender-based violence and propose recommendations for fostering multistakeholder collaboration. It will identify best practices as blueprints for future initiatives, while also establishing fundamental principles for regulatory measures and educational programs. The findings of the workshop will be compiled into a thesis paper and presented for further discussion and refinement.
Hybrid Format: The moderators will actively engage participants by using brief online surveys – typically with one or two questions – at both the beginning and the end of the session. These surveys are accessible via smartphones for onsite attendees and online for remote participants, fostering a sense of personal involvement and enhancing interest in the hybrid session. Our goal is to ensure that every participant, regardless of their location, has an equal opportunity to contribute and share their ideas.
Planned structure of the workshop:
• Introduction by the moderator (5 min)
• Online/onsite survey with 1-2 questions (5 min)
• Short introductory statements from the speakers sharing their perspectives on the topic (20 min)
• Moderated discussion with the attendees onsite and online (50 min)
• Online/onsite survey with 1-2 questions (7 min)
• Wrap-up (3 min)