Have you ever received unfamiliar notifications on your phone and become anxious? Sometimes, things that were never meant to be on social media, get posted online and become viral in minutes. Even worse, what if they are from someone you know?
Understanding Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV)
As digitalization advances rapidly, it continues to shape modern life, particularly for young people. The digital age has revolutionized communication, offering unprecedented convenience, yet it has also introduced significant security threats for internet users. One critical concern is Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV), which disproportionately affects women, girls, and LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to violence directed against an individual due to their gender or that disproportionately affects individuals of a particular gender. It encompasses a wide range of abuses, including violence against women, domestic violence affecting women, men, or children within the same household, and other forms of gendered harm. Women and girls are disproportionately the primary victims of GBV. This violence often results in severe physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm, causing significant suffering, particularly for women and girls. (European Commission,n.d).
Generally, online harassment emphasizes any act or manner that is committed with harmful consequences physical, sexual, psychological, or social harm by using an information and communication technology (ICT) platform (LICADHO, 2021). A more specific definition, online gender-based violence is a term used to describe acts that use information and communication technologies to cause harm to women, girls, and LGBTI people (Amnesty International,n.d).
“Please keep in mind that all forms of gender-based violence, like technological violence against women, are the fault of the perpetrator and not the victim. No matter how a woman dresses or whether she goes with someone, it’s not her fault. Please listen to her carefully.” - Khourn Chantevy, a representative from UN Women Cambodia
There are many forms of online gender-based violence while the most common ones include misinformation and defamation, cyber harassment, hate speech, impersonation, hacking and stalking, astroturfing (a coordinated effort to concurrently share damaging content across platforms, video and image-based abuse, doxing, violent threats, and unwanted images or sexually explicit content (UN Women,n.d). Social media platforms are meant to be an engaging space for people to interact, so why have online platforms become a threat to many girls and women, and in particular how can they become vectors of gender-based violence in Cambodia?
Wider Lens on Online Gender-Based Violence in Cambodia
In Cambodia, women and girls face significant risks in the increasingly digitalized society. While online platforms provide accessibility and opportunities, inadequate prevention measures and support systems expose them to harm. Disturbingly, platforms like Telegram have been used to sell pornographic images and videos of children and women, often stored in shared folders on Google Drive or Dropbox for preview and sold for prices between $30 and $100 (APLE, 2020; Li, 2021).
Victims encounter immense challenges in seeking justice, as perpetrators exploit encryption technologies and delete incriminating content, making it difficult to gather evidence. These barriers contribute to a cycle of inequality and social control over women and girls (Taing, 2020).
The consequences of OGBV are severe, affecting victims' well-being both in the short and long term. The Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) 2021-22 revealed that 21 percent of females aged between 15 and 49 have experienced gender-based violence (physical and psychological) from their intimate partners.
On top of that, recent research from UNICEF’s global “Cambodia Disrupting Harm” found that approximately 160,000 Cambodian children aged between 12 and 17 have experienced some form of online sexual harassment. This data highlights the concerning number of online gender-based violence young people including girls, boys, women, and in particular minorities, often committed by individuals close to them.
These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for women, girls, and vulnerable groups.
Drivers of Online Gender-Based Violence in Cambodia
Several factors contribute to increased risks of OGBV in Cambodia:
Limited digital literacy: Many young Cambodians lack basic knowledge of online safety due to insufficient ICT education in schools (LIRNEasia, 2018).
Language barriers: Low English proficiency restricts access to information and digital tools often written in English, further reducing awareness and preparedness against online threats (UNDP, 2020).
Legal gaps: Existing laws fail to address various forms of digital violence and exploitation. For example, the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation does not address online grooming (a situation in which sexual abuse happens when adults communicate with young people under 18 years old to gain trust that slowly turns into manipulation and demand for sexual relationships thus can escalate into physical harm).
These challenges underscore the urgent need for systemic changes to protect internet users, especially vulnerable populations.
Way Forward To Build Safe Online Space
To counter OGBV, a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach is essential:
Integrate digital literacy into education: Embedding ICT education in school curricula will equip young people with fundamental internet safety skills.
Make resources more accessible: Improving English proficiency among Cambodians and/or developing more useful resources in Khmer will help people make informed decisions and find the support they need whilst navigating digital platforms.
Strengthen legal frameworks: Policies addressing OGBV must be updated, including amendments to existing laws to cover and respond to broad and specific OGBV, including online grooming and forms of digital exploitation.
Promote capacity building: Training programs and awareness campaigns are crucial for empowering individuals to safeguard themselves online.
Data collection and monitoring: Better tracking and analysis of OGBV cases can inform targeted interventions and policy-making.
Together, these efforts can create a secure and inclusive online environment for women and girls in Cambodia. Know Your Rights, Protect Yours, Build A Safe Space For All!
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