HRC38 event: Violence and abuse against women on social media platforms

Parallel event to the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council

When: 20 June 2018, 16:30 – 17:30

Where: Room XXV, Palais des Nations, United Nations at Geneva

As the world becomes increasingly connected online, our reliance on social media platforms has also become increasingly important. However these platforms are not immune to many of the human rights abuses that women face offline. The widespread inequality and discrimination against women that remains embedded in society is increasingly being replicated on social media and acts of violence and abuse against women online are an extension of these acts offline.

Join us in our discussion on the human rights harms of violence and abuse against women on social media platforms as well as how social media companies can adequately meet their human rights responsibilities to address this widespread problem.

Considering the reports to the 38th session of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on online violence against women and girls, the of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression on the regulation of user-generated online content and Amnesty International’s report Toxic Twitter: Violence and Abuse against Women Online which highlights the human rights impact of online abuse against female politicians, journalists, bloggers – amongst others, we will seek action-oriented solutions, including how civil society, companies and governments can work together to tackle this multi-faceted problem.

Speakers