Across digital platforms, observations indicate that gendered hate speech is both widespread
and context-dependent. In the MENA region, and particularly in Egypt, online attacks against
women tend to intensify around politically sensitive moments, such as elections, legislative
reforms, or high-profile debates on women’s rights. Social media platforms—including
Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram—serve as primary spaces where such
abuse unfolds, due to their reach, speed, and algorithmic amplification of polarising content.
Public figures, activists, journalists, and young women engaging in social or political
discussions are especially exposed to targeted attacks.9
A CASE FROM DENMARK
Also, beyond the MENA region, public debate increasingly occurs online. In Denmark, where
KVINFO is based, almost four times as many citizens participate in public debate online
compared to public debates in physical spaces.10 This development places huge responsibility
on platform moderation, especially of pages belonging to political parties, politicians and media
outlets. According to a report by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, far more women than
men feel the so-called chilling effect of potential TFGBV and online harassment, and refrain
from participating in public online debates.11 The fear is not unfounded, seeing as far more
women than men are exposed to hateful attacks and comments. This is illustrated not least by
a unique Danish study, based on 73 million posts and comments on pages belonging to
Danish media and politicians on Facebook over a period of just above three years. According
to the study, 73 percent of gender-based hate was directed towards women, 27 percent
against men and five percent against gender minorities. Additionally, and importantly, an
estimated 68 percent of perpetrators in public debate were written by male-named profiles and
only 32 percent by female-named profiles.12 This speaks to patriarchal structures being
reproduced online. The chilling effect is also documented in Jordan, not least in a study by the
Renaissance Strategic Centre, reporting that 77.4 percent of women who experience online
violence responded by self-censoring, anonymizing their profiles, or withdrawing from
platforms entirely to avoid further attacks.13
Another troubling aspect of sexism in digital spaces is the more hidden, so called “everyday
sexism”, a topic that KVINFO has worked with quite extensively in a Danish context. Everyday
sexism is more subtle than threats or attacks. Examples include comments that build on
stereotypical ideas of gender, patronising remarks or misogyny disguised as jokes. On social
media, these include likes, shares and emojis that support sexist messages. This may seem
9 See for example Online gender-based violence: What scenario for the MENA region? - EuroMed Rights
10 Zuleta, L. et al, Ytringsfrihed og selvcensur, DIHR, 2024, Ytringsfrihed-og-selvcensur_DK_juni2024.pdf
Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) DEBAT: Demokratiet lider, når kvinder flygter fra den
offentlige debat, DEBAT: Demokratiet lider, når kvinder flygter fra den offentlige debat | Institut for
Menneskerettigheder
12 Analyse & Tal, KVINFO and TrygFonden (2021) Angreb & had i den offentlige debat på Facebook,
Angreb-og-had-i-den-offentlige-debat-paa-Facebook.pdf
13 Renaissance Strategic Centre (2026) How TFGBV Impacts the Democratic Participation of Young
Women: Jordan as a Case Study, TFGBV-report.pdf
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