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Women On The Web: Online Empowerment In The Covid-19 Era And Beyond
01/12/2020 @ 16 h 00 min - 17 h 30 min
Presented by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby
The digital sphere can be an empowering space in our society and democracy, as well as a driver of connectivity and democratic participation. At the same time, the online world can become an echo chamber of our society, deepening existing power imbalances and inequalities while preventing underrepresented voices from being heard. To this end, women can find them themselves silenced, their rights undermined.
While the internet can be a tool of empowerment for women, online gender inequality and cyber violence are on the rise. Girls and women face an increasing amount of abuse and discrimination on digital platforms or are subject to bias through artificial intelligence algorithms. In light of the current pandemic, the internet has become a lifeline for many. Much of our daily lives, work, access to news and information, communication, and political debates now take place online, making the creation of a safe and inclusive online space more urgent than ever.
What do we know about the impact of digitalisation on democracy and participation of women? How does violence and discrimination online affect women in their political participation, the personal and professional development? How can we enhance actions at the EU level against the rise of gender inequality and gender-based violence online? How can civil society, social media platforms, and EU policy-makers work together to protect the rights of women online and help make cyberspace more inclusive and diverse?
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.