Digital Violence in
Arab States:
Reality and Challenges
The 2022 UN Women – Arab States report, Mapping of Laws and Services for Online and ICT-Facilitated Violence
against Women and Girls in Arab States, examines existing legislation and support services addressing online
violence against women and girls in the region. It also highlights international frameworks and best practices for
combating ICT-facilitated violence.
The report finds that while no Arab country has enacted specific laws addressing online violence, governments
have generally adopted a three-pronged legal approach to regulating digital spaces:
1. Expanding domestic violence laws to include online violence.
2. Enacting comprehensive legislation against all forms of violence against women (e.g., Tunisia’s 2017 law).
3. Implementing cybercrime laws to address digital offenses.
Despite these positive advancements, The UN Women- Arab States report on mapping of laws indicates that
online violence is often viewed solely as a cybercrime, which can lead not only to neglecting the specific needs
and rights of women, girls, but also all gendered intersectional identities. Furthermore, cybercrime laws may
lead to violating privacy and restrict freedom of expression.
To date, 13 Arab countries have enacted cybercrime laws that include provisions on online violence against
women and girls. These include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the
State of Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. The remaining nine Arab states have either lack
implemented general cybercrime laws or have yet to take significant legal action on the issue 15.
Digital Violence:
A Growing Phenomenon in Lebanon
The global rise in digital violence is an alarming phenomenon, and Lebanon is no exception. This escalating
issue threatens individual safety and fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and privacy.
However, addressing this challenge does not mean restricting digital technologies. On the contrary, technology
remains a powerful tool for positive change, but its misuse, whether through abuse of power, discrimination,
bullying, or marginalization, can cause significant harm.
A lack of digital literacy can turn these tools into instruments of control and oppression.
Therefore, as part of our social and national responsibility, we must bridge the gap between technological
advancement and legal frameworks while ensuring clear protections for victims.
Understanding the history, potential, and risks of information and communication technology (ICT) is essential
to aligning its rapid evolution with effective legal safeguards.
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https://unric.org/en/cyberviolence-against-women-and-girls-the-growing-threat-of-the-digital-age/#:~:text=Studies %20across%20the%20world%20show,and%20reach%20of%20digital%20platforms.
13 Finding a difficult balance: Human rights, law enforcement and cyber violence against women | GenderIT.org
14 Although we acknowledge that women are the most vulnerable to gender-based violence, it is important to remember that gender-based violence does not exclude anyone. It affects
different gender identities (including non-binary and non-symmetrical), including children and men in certain contexts.
15 The complete guide: https://arabstates.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/03/mapping-of-laws-and-services-for-online-and-ict-facilitated-violence-against-women-and-girls
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