UNFPA and Canada launch a global programme to tackle technology-facilitated gender-based violence

UNITED NATIONS, New York – The Virtual is Real. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a rapidly growing concern for millions of  women and girls around the world. Born of misogyny and gender inequality, this violence permeates both online and offline spaces to not only deprive women and girls of the transformative benefits of technology, but also to further entrench damaging gender and social norms. In response, Canada and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, have joined forces to put an end to technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Canada leads the way with new funding

Across 18 countries, almost 60 per cent of women with access to the internet reported experiencing at least one form of technology-facilitated violence. This is nearly double the global average of women who report being subjected to violence from an intimate partner, and the impact can be equally devastating. Survivors may withdraw from public and political life, finding their voices silenced and their mental health endangered. These challenges are exacerbated by intersecting forms of discrimination related to factors of identity such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

As UNFPA closes the ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Technology in New York which took place on 27-28 June, Global Affairs Canada and UNFPA have reaffirmed their partnership through a programme called ‘Making All Spaces Safe’. The programme aims to ensure that women and girls can enjoy the benefits of technology, free from violence and discrimination. With an investment of CAD$5 million (USD$3.6 million) for the next three years, UNFPA will be equipped to tackle technology-facilitated gender-based violence more effectively, and on a global scale.

Canada is the first national contributor to this flagship programme. The funds will support a global response to the issue as well as targeted initiatives in Benin and Kenya. The partnership will pave the way for stronger joint actions to end these forms of violence everywhere in the world. 

“Survivors of online violence are often left without support, with slow and unresponsive existing systems,” said UNFPA’s Representative in Benin, Richmond Tiemoko. “Canada's contribution marks a significant step forward in addressing these gaps in close partnership with the Government of Benin.”

Filling the gaps in response and prevention 

UNFPA will work with Canada to ensure that the needs of survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence – who often lack access to life-saving response services – are integrated into existing gender-based violence response systems and regulatory frameworks. 

In partnership with feminist and digital rights organizations and the private sector, the new programme will contribute to timely and effective support for survivors by focusing on response, prevention, law and policy, research and evaluation. For example, a global response hub will be established to accelerate and strengthen mechanisms supporting front-line workers around the world. 

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence does not happen in a vacuum. As a lead UN agency working to end all forms of gender-based violence, UNFPA will continue to tackle harmful gender and social norms that fuel gender-based violence, online and off. The ‘Making All Spaces Safe’ programme will help prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence through community engagement and by encouraging developers to make their innovations safer for women from the design stage. 

The programme will also build on and complement existing efforts by national governments and civil society to stop online violence. For example, in Kenya the Communications Authority and the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology are already addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence through the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse. This partnership comprises 15 Member States – including Canada – committed to tackling technology-facilitated gender-based violence. These efforts are guided by an Advisory Group made up of a diverse range of stakeholders, such as survivors of violence, civil society leaders, researchers and members of academia and private sector partners. UNFPA plays a crucial role in the Steering Committee, which coordinates the activities of the Advisory Group.  

“Technology-facilitated gender-based violence negatively affects women’s participation in public and political life, silencing their voices and impacting their employment, education and economic opportunities,” said UNFPA’s Representative in Kenya, Anders Thomsen. “Through this partnership, we aim to create a safer digital space for women and girls, protecting their rights and enhancing their ability to thrive.”

A global commitment to online safety 

A total of 18,000 people will directly or indirectly benefit from the programme, particularly service providers, who will be better equipped with the knowledge, skills and tools to ensure women, girls and young people have access to survivor-centered responses. By collecting strong data and conducting research, the programme’s designers aim for it to be easily scaled up and replicated.

“Canada is a steadfast advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide”, says Canada’s Minister for International Development, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen. “By partnering with UNFPA, we are advancing our joint commitment in ending technology-facilitated gender-based violence, through ensuring access to survivor-centered gender-based violence services for women and girls. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence not only has detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of victim-survivors, but also has long-lasting and severe impacts on society as a whole. Together, we can put an end to this violence.”

Canada’s new commitment demonstrates its leadership on digital issues, following its work on Global Affairs Digital and the Emerging Technology Policy Team, which focuses on the intersection of technology and foreign policy, and its action as part of the Global Partnership. In 2021, when UNFPA launched its global ‘bodyright’ campaign encouraging people to claim ownership of their bodies online, Canada was among the first to support and amplify it, echoing its commitment to gender equality and human rights.

The Government of Canada has been a generous and long-standing supporter of UNFPA, providing indispensable resources, including core funding, and enabling UNFPA to carry on its life-saving work advancing the rights of women and girls in more than 150 countries.