UN Warns of Rapidly Escalating Global Crisis of Violence Against Women Journalists and Activists
UN Warns of Rapidly Escalating Global Crisis of Violence Against Women Journalists and Activists
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The United Nations has warned that violence targeting women journalists and activists is reaching “crisis levels,” driven by a surge in online abuse that increasingly spills over into real-world attacks.
A new study released by UN Women on Tuesday shows that more than two-thirds of women journalists and activists worldwide have faced online violence, while 41% report related physical or in-person harassment.
The joint findings from UN Women and UNESCO indicate that digital abuse—ranging from doxxing, verbal harassment, sexual threats, and stalking to highly dangerous forms such as swatting—has intensified sharply in recent years. According to senior researcher Julie Posetti, real-world harm linked to online attacks has more than doubled in the past five years, signaling a “dangerous and potentially deadly trajectory.”
The report, titled “A Turning Point”, surveyed over 6,900 human rights defenders, journalists and social activists from 119 countries. It highlights the growing weaponization of social media, artificial intelligence tools, deepfakes, and manipulated content to intimidate women and silence critical reporting.
Sara Hendriks, UN Women’s policy director, emphasized that online abuse does not remain confined to digital spaces, noting: “These attacks follow women to their homes. They are designed to shame, silence and push them out of public life.”
The study warns that the escalating cycle of digital and physical violence threatens press freedom, civic participation and democratic processes.
The report calls for stronger legislation, enhanced regulation of digital platforms, corporate accountability in the tech sector, and global protection mechanisms for at-risk journalists.
International outlets including Asharq Al-Awsat and Middle East News have echoed concerns raised in the UN report, stressing the need for urgent global action to safeguard women journalists as threats become more coordinated and more severe.
