TF GBV Knowledge Hub

The article focuses on the theme "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality" in celebration of International Women’s Day. It discusses the digital divide, highlighting how technology can empower women but poses challenges, especially for disadvantaged groups. The article presents findings from CARE Jordan’s gender and inclusion analysis, which explored mobile phone ownership and usage in vulnerable households. It revealed that while both men and women own phones, women often have less control over their devices due to social norms, with phones frequently shared within families.

The article also highlighted the digital risks women face, such as online harassment, which are influenced by societal attitudes toward women’s technology use. The article argues that restricting women’s access to digital tools worsens the divide and increases the risks of cyber violence. Instead, it calls for promoting digital literacy, ethical engagement, and addressing gendered expectations to ensure safe and inclusive technology use.

The article discusses the rise of digital violence against female journalists in Jordan. Journalist Shahed Jihad highlights that these women are often targeted due to their influence, facing online intimidation related to their work. Cultural attitudes exacerbate the issue, with families often reacting negatively. Jihad emphasizes the need for careful reporting that avoids victim-blaming.

This document highlights the widespread and growing issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). It discusses common forms of abuse such as cyber harassment, misinformation, defamation, stalking, and doxing, which disproportionately affect women, particularly those who are public figures, activists, or part of marginalized communities. The article emphasizes the severe impact of these abuses on women's safety, mental health, and participation in digital spaces.

The article discusses the digital divide, the gap between people with and without access to modern technology, particularly the internet. It highlights that this divide disproportionately affects lower- and middle-income countries, especially women, due to barriers like limited internet access, low digital literacy, and cultural restrictions on women’s use of technology. This article also shares strategies and lessons learned to engage young women and girls who are digitally disconnected.

The article discusses the release of a video aimed at raising awareness about cybersecurity. The initiative is part of broader efforts to educate the public on the importance of cybersecurity and the risks associated with cyber threats. The video is designed to inform individuals and organizations about best practices for protecting their digital information and maintaining online safety.

The article discusses how online violence, particularly technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), severely impacts women and girls, especially in humanitarian settings. It highlights that online abuse leads to psychological and physical harm, affecting their well-being and even resulting in fatalities. The piece emphasizes the need for increased awareness, stronger legal frameworks, and supportive measures to combat this pervasive issue. Specifically in Jordan, the article notes a case where a father was charged with murder for killing his daughter after seeing her use a mobile phone. This underscores the deadly consequences of online violence intertwined with societal norms. It calls for protective strategies, legal interventions, and digital literacy to safeguard women and girls in the region.

The article discusses a report from the Dutch NGO Rutgers that reveals the alarming rise of "technology-facilitated gender-based violence" (TFGBV) against women globally. The report emphasizes that online abuse is often linked to offline violence, with technology being used by abusers to exert control over women and girls. While violence against women is widespread, the report highlights that TFGBV is often not taken seriously, leading to underreporting and inadequate legal protection for victims.

A recent survey on the adoption and use of communication and information technology in Jordan reveals that social media is the dominant driver of Internet usage. Conducted by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Statistics, the survey found that 95.8% of Jordanians aged five and above engage with social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. The most common activities on these platforms include watching videos, listening to music, and gaming. The survey highlights a significant shift in how people communicate and consume content, with social media becoming the primary communication channel. Experts suggest that businesses should adapt their marketing strategies to engage with this active online audience. Additionally, the survey indicates high mobile phone ownership in Jordan, with 99% of urban and 98.6% of rural households owning a phone, and an average monthly expenditure of JD8.2 on smartphones.

The article "The Arab World’s Digital Divide" discusses the persistent inequalities in internet access and usage across the Arab World, despite the rapid growth in internet penetration and smartphone usage. While the internet has the potential to drive equality and expand opportunities, these inequalities remain widespread and, in some cases, have worsened over time.

The article emphasizes how surveillance, particularly when aimed at women, can be a form of psychological and emotional violence. It strips individuals of their privacy, puts them at risk of blackmail, defamation, and reputational damage, and causes fear and self-censorship. The targets of these surveillance attacks live in constant fear of exposing their private lives, relationships, and the people they work with to harm. The article includes testimonies from both Al-Saegh and Deeb, who share their personal experiences of how surveillance has drastically altered their daily lives, work, and social interactions. Both women express how the violation of their privacy has led to deep emotional and psychological harm, highlighting the broader impact on their families and communities. The article concludes with recommendations for governments, surveillance technology companies, and international bodies, calling for greater regulation of surveillance technology, the establishment of oversight mechanisms, and accountability for companies like NSO Group. It also stresses the importance of providing support to those impacted by surveillance, particularly women human rights defenders

This article shows The wave of online hate speech pushed many women activists to deactivate their social media accounts after extensive online attacks for posting about Sarah.