Session
Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety
Online Hate Speech and Rights of Vulnerable People
Organizer 1: Aaron Shull, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Organizer 2: Suzie Dunn, Centre for International Governance Innovation/Dalhousie Shuclich School of Law
Organizer 3: Ruhiya Kris Seward, 🔒International Development Research Centre
Organizer 4: Emma Monteiro, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Speaker 1: Aaron Shull, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Suzie Dunn, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Ruhiya Kris Seward, Government, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 4: Tigist Hussen, Civil Society, African Group
Aaron Shull, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Ruhiya Kris Seward, Government, Intergovernmental Organization
Emma Monteiro, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Birds of a Feather - 90 Min
How can policy frameworks be adapted or created to better address the prevalence and impact of online gender and sexuality-based violence, particularly in the context of the Global South and among marginalized communities?
How can we leverage data, evidence, feminist research and collaborative engagement with civil society and technology companies to implement effective changes in social media governance, aimed at improving digital safety and addressing gender and sexuality-based violence online?
How can intersectionality be incorporated into policy development and legal reform to ensure a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to addressing online gender and sexuality-based violence and promoting digital inclusion?
What will participants gain from attending this session? By attending this workshop, participants will gain a nuanced understanding of online gender and sexuality-based violence and the urgent need to address these harms, as well as the opportunities for policy development, technological innovation, and social advocacy in this field. The session will offer a compelling blend of ground-breaking research, practical implications, and actionable strategies for change, all aimed towards fostering safer and more inclusive digital spaces for everyone.
Description:
Our proposed workshop, "Addressing Tech-facilitated Violence: Towards Safer Digital Spaces", will delve into the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, technology, and online violence. This workshop will highlight our innovative research project that seeks to fill the crucial data gap in gender-based violence (GBV) and technology-facilitated violence against the LGBTQ+ community online, especially in the Global South. The objective is to better understand the experiences of women and LGBTQ+ individuals online and, based on the research findings, to propose actionable policy recommendations.
This comprehensive approach aims to engage diverse stakeholders including policy makers, advocacy groups, academic researchers, civil society organizations, and technology and social media platform companies, towards creating safer digital spaces for all. Our mission is to combat technology-facilitated gender and sexuality-based violence and contribute to a safer internet for all.
The session will explore the strategic goals, methodologies, and policy deliverables aimed to understand the challenges of online gender and sexuality-based violence. It will share the evidence generated from the expanded surveys of tech facilitated violence and the qualitative and feminist research from multiple countries, as well as visual data presentations and the Special Report aggregating our findings and policy recommendations.
We aim to spotlight the critical need for policies and legal frameworks that effectively address online gender and sexuality-based violence, and the vital role that digital technology companies can play in ensuring online safety for their users. By presenting our research and fostering discussion, we aim to catalyze policy change, legal reform, and greater responsiveness among social media platforms to the needs of individuals experiencing online violence.
The workshop will underscore the necessity for an intersectional and feminist approach in addressing online gender and sexuality-based violence, taking into account overlapping identities and experiences. This inclusive approach is integral in our commitment to create a more equitable digital environment.
Participants will gain an increased understanding of the severity and extent of online gender and sexuality-based violence internationally, particularly in the Global South. This knowledge will foster recognition of the need for intersectional approaches that consider people's overlapping identities and experiences.
Policy makers will gain insights to inform their work in improving policy and legal frameworks for addressing online gender and sexuality-based violence. The research findings and policy recommendations will provide concrete evidence to influence policy discussions and decision-making processes.
This session will facilitate opportunities for collaboration between academics, policy makers, technology companies, and civil society organizations. The discussions are aimed to help establish a network committed to addressing online gender and sexuality-based violence and promoting safer digital spaces.
Advocacy groups and organizations supporting survivors of tech-facilitated violence will gain insights, including through the latest research data, to support their efforts and improve their services.
Hybrid Format: Interaction: We will leverage the use of a shared online platform, where all participants, whether onsite or online, can view presentations, ask questions, and engage in discussions. We will assign a dedicated online moderator to ensure that questions and comments from the online audience are heard and addressed.
Design: The session will be designed to include a mix of short presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A segments. This format will allow for periodic interaction and engagement from both online and onsite participants, maintaining a balanced involvement throughout the session.
Complementary Tools: We plan to use online platforms like Slido or Mentimeter for real-time polling and Q&A sessions. These tools will enable immediate feedback and increase participation, adding to the interactivity of the session regardless of the participant's location. These tools will be accessible to all participants and will help us keep the session engaging, interactive, and inclusive.