"Digital or online gender violence refers to acts of gender violence committed instigated or aggravated, in part or totally, by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), social media platforms and email." (APC 2015)

"There is still no global consensus on the definition of gender violence facilitated by technology. However, it is understood when it is committed and spreads through digital media, against a woman –because she is a woman–, or when it affects women disproportionately." (UN Women, 2020)

"Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is “any act that is committed, assisted, aggravated or amplified by the use of information communication technologies or other digital tools which results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political or economic harm or other infringements of rights and freedoms." (UN, 2023)

"This violence causes psychological and emotional damage, reinforces prejudices, damages reputation, causes economic loss, and poses barriers to participation in public life. It can also lead to forms of sexual violence and other forms of physical violence." (Luchadoras, 2017)

Background

2022: Agreement on Protective Measures for Women in Situations of Gender-Based Violence

• During the Pro-Tempore Presidency held by Argentina, Mercosur issued the "Mutual regional recognition of protection measures for women in gender-based violence situations". This agreement extends the protection for women victims of gender-based violence across Mercosur countries and Associated States. (Mercosur, 2022)

2021: Disproportionate Impact of Technology-Facilitated Violence on Freedom of Expression

• In her report to the General Assembly, UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan highlighted the disproportionate impact of digital gender-based violence on freedom of opinion and expression. She made recommendations to create a safe digital environment. (UN, 2021)

2020: Eradicating technology-facilitated gender-based violence against women journalists

• Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, outlined the specific risks faced by women journalists due to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. (UN, 2020)

2018: Definition of digital gender-based violence

• In her report, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Šimonović, defined online violence against women as any act of gender-based violence against women that is committed, assisted or aggravated in part or fully by the use of ICT, such as mobile phones and smartphones, the Internet, social media platforms or email, against a woman because she is a woman, or affects women disproportionately. (A/HRC/38/47, par. 23)

2017: Digital gender-based violence in contexts of the digital divide

• The UN High Commissioner delves into digital gender violence in contexts of the digital divide. And it is the first report to make the first approximations of the definition of digital violence: “Online violence against women encompasses acts of gender-based violence that are committed, facilitated or aggravated by the use of ICTs, including online threats and harassment and gross and demeaning breaches of privacy, such as “revenge pornography”. (UN, 2017)

• CEDAW General Recommendation No. 35. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) issued General Recommendation No. 35 on gender-based violence against women, which updates General Recommendation No. 19. This document acknowledges gender-based violence as a form of historically unequal power relationship between women and men and reaffirms women’s right to live free from violence and discrimination. It also emphasizes the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, including those occurring in digital environments. (CEDAW, 2017)

2015: Human rights council resolution

• The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to accelerate efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, noting that this violence includes acts such as cyberbullying and cyberstalking. (UN, 2015)

2013: Resolutions and recommendations on technology and gender

• Freedom of opinion and expression: The UN approved a resolution regarding the role of freedom of opinion and expression in women’s empowerment and urged States to implement gender-sensitive technology. (UN, 2013)

• Women's participation: The UN Council published the “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice”. This document addressed the importance of inclusion for women's participation on the Internet and the risks of violence they face online. (UN, 2013)

• Protecting women human rights defenders: In the same year, the General Assembly approved a resolution for the protection of women human rights defenders and women's rights defenders.This document acknowledges the violence women face on the Internet and its impact on the full exercise of their rights. (UN, 2013)

2012: Human Rights on the Internet

• The UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution on the rights of individuals on the Internet. It stated that human rights must be protected in all environments: both online and offline. (UN, 2012)

2011: Human Rights on the Internet

• The report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression highlighted the unique and transformative nature of the Internet. It not only enables individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression, but also a range of other human rights, promoting the progress of society as a whole. (UN, 2011)

2006: The first mention of technology-facilitated gender-based violence

• The first time it was stated in international instruments that the use of ICTs also propagates structural problems of gender-based violence was in 2006, in a UN report: “In-depth study on all forms of violence against women”. (UN, 2006)

1994: Convention of Belém do Pará

• This convention was ratified by Paraguay through Law 605/1995. It was the first international treaty on violence against women that affirms that this violence constitutes a violation of human rights. The Convention establishes for the first time the development of mechanisms for the protection and defense of women's human rights, in the fight to eliminate violence against their physical, sexual and psychological integrity, both in the public and private spheres. It also provides recommendations for measures and public policies that seek to eradicate violence against women. (OAS, 1994)

1970: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

• It establishes state responsibility in eliminating violence against women. This convention was approved in 1979 and ratified by Paraguay through Law No. 1215/8. It highlights violence as a form of historically unequal power relationship between women and men, emphasizing that women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination. In this regard, General Recommendation 19/1992 stands out, as it was the first to make the States responsible for situations of violence against women and oblige them to adopt the necessary measures for its elimination. (UN, 1979)