The issue of gender-based violence, encompassing physical, psychological, and economic abuse, has long been a defining challenge for international diplomacy. Historically, responses have been fragmented, often reactive rather than preventative. The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified by 193 nations, provides a foundational legal framework, yet enforcement remains uneven and insufficient. Similarly, the 2015 landmark Safe Women Act in the United Kingdom, while establishing a dedicated police unit, highlighted the systemic gaps in addressing both offline and online abuse. The rise of “incel” ideologies and the normalized dissemination of misogynistic content on social media platforms underscore the escalating severity and sophistication of this threat.
Recent data from the UN Office on Missing Children highlights a concerning trend: the majority of online sexual exploitation of children involves the creation of fabricated images. A 2023 report by the Centre for Gender and Development Research found that 68% of women globally have experienced some form of online harassment, with younger women disproportionately affected. “The speed at which these images can be generated and distributed—coupled with the increasingly blurred lines between reality and simulation—creates an environment ripe for exploitation,” noted Dr. Evelyn Hayes, Director of Digital Security at the International Crisis Group, during a recent briefing. “Traditional law enforcement responses are simply not equipped to handle this scale of the problem.”
The Australia-UK partnership, formalized through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022, reflects a recognition of this shift. The MoU’s stated goals – prevention, accountability, and international advocacy – are now being translated into concrete actions. The recently launched International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, with initial member states including Canada, France, and Germany, aims to create a sustained international commitment. However, achieving genuine leverage within complex multilateral structures such as the UN Security Council necessitates a unified and strategically driven approach.
Key to this approach is a multi-pronged strategy. Firstly, a sustained effort is needed to challenge the underlying cultural norms that enable gender-based violence, focusing on education programs and awareness campaigns – particularly targeting young men and boys. Secondly, bolstering victim support services – including specialized legal assistance, mental health support, and safe housing – remains paramount. Critically, any response must be survivor-centred, prioritizing their needs and agency. Thirdly, coordinating international advocacy efforts is essential to drive greater ambition and accountability within existing international forums, including the upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Summit.
The rise of generative AI presents a particularly acute challenge. “We are witnessing a weaponization of technology,” stated Frances Kelly, Director of the Global Network on Extremism and Technology at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). “The ability to generate realistic, yet entirely fabricated, sexual content, combined with sophisticated disinformation campaigns, poses a direct threat to democratic processes and societal stability.” The current focus on the Preliminary Model National Framework for Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII) and collaboration through the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse represent early steps, but scaling these solutions and achieving global consensus on standards will be critical.
The Australian and UK governments are piloting solutions like proactive content flagging algorithms and partnerships with tech companies to identify and remove harmful content. A crucial element of this effort is aligning international standards for AI safety and accountability, a task complicated by the rapid pace of technological development. Furthermore, the Tech Safety Showcase initiative, facilitated by UNFPA, aims to promote the adoption of “safety-by-design” principles within the tech industry – designing systems with built-in safeguards against abuse.
Looking ahead, the next six months will see the continued rollout of the MoU’s initiatives, including expanded support for survivors and intensified international advocacy efforts. Longer-term, the challenge will require a fundamental shift in how we understand and combat gender-based violence, moving beyond reactive responses to proactive prevention and, crucially, demanding that tech companies and governments share responsibility for mitigating the harms enabled by rapidly evolving technologies. The potential for widespread manipulation and the erosion of trust necessitate a globally coordinated and strategically resilient response—a true test of international cooperation.
To address this, governments, NGOs, and the private sector must engage in open dialogue, sharing best practices and investing in research to understand the evolving dynamics of digital gender-based violence. The long-term success of efforts hinges on fostering a shared understanding that safeguarding women and girls online is not simply a matter of human rights; it is a fundamental pillar of national security and societal stability. Let us now discuss how we can build a future where technology serves to protect, not exploit.