Protecting Against Gender-Based Cyber Violence in Iraq
From March 10 to 21, representatives from civil society organizations, NGOs, UN member states, agencies, and think tanks are gathering in New York for the 69th edition of the Commission on the Status of Women. This session will review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, focusing on the ongoing challenges to achieving gender equality and empowering women.
As global attention turns to gender equality and violence against women, gender-based violence in cyberspace is often overlooked. Drawing from Nonviolent Peaceforce's experience in Iraq, we examine how this issue manifests, its impact on communities, and NP’s efforts to address it.
What is gender-based cyber violence?
UN Women defines gender-based cyber violence (also known as “technology-facilitated gender-based violence”, or TFGBV) as “any act that is committed, assisted, aggravated, or amplified by the use of information communication technologies or other digital tools that result in or are likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms.” While it can affect all genders, it disproportionately impacts young women and girls, with digital platforms becoming powerful tools for intimidation, shaming, and control. Gender-based cyber violence includes a range of abuses, from online harassment to more severe acts like image-based sexual abuse and cyber extortion. Though widespread, it often remains underreported. A 2021 Economist study found that 38% of women have directly experienced TFGBV, and 85% have witnessed it affecting others.
How does gender based violence manifest online in Iraq?
In Iraq, one of the common forms of gender-based cyber violence is image-based sexual abuse (IBSA). NP began working in South Mosul in February 2022, where our program quickly identified digital extortion as a significant issue, particularly affecting young women and girls. Community members shared alarming concerns about men extorting money or sexual favors in exchange for maintaining the privacy of women and girls. Perpetrators often obtain, share, or threaten to share compromising images without consent, using these threats to force compliance from those they target. These images aren't necessarily explicit, depicting nudity or intimate scenes, but in conservative societies like Qayyarah where NP operates, a man possessing an image of a hijabi woman without her covered hair is viewed as a “stain on family honor”, “shame”, and a grave misconduct on the part of the woman.
What are the consequences of digital violence for survivors and communities?
The psychological consequences for women and girls targeted by digital violence are profound and long-lasting. Survivors often experience depression, anxiety, paranoia, and a diminished sense of safety, leading to social isolation. Community sources reported increased suicide rates among women subjected to digital extortion. In less extreme cases, individuals affected may silence themselves to protect their privacy, deactivating social media accounts or refraining from expressing themselves online. However, this self-censorship denies them their voices and access to vital resources, such as services for displaced persons or support for survivors of violence. In addition, the stigma surrounding digital violence, coupled with victim-blaming attitudes that suggest women “ask for it” by being present online, exacerbates these effects. Such attitudes discourage civilians who have suffered harm from reporting their experiences, leaving many without support or recourse.
Beyond the individual, the consequences of gender-based cyber violence can ripple through entire communities. Tensions between tribes have been triggered by cases of digital extortion, posing significant risk for sparking violence between families. In many communities around Iraq, beyond South Mosul where NP works, the act of sharing or threatening to share compromising images is seen not just as an individual violation, but as an attack on family honor and reputation. This is because honor and reputation are highly valued in such tight-knit societies meaning that even the slightest affront can spark intense conflicts. When such acts occur, they can inflame existing rivalries or power struggles between families, exacerbating long-standing grievances as the shame and humiliation associated with such incidents to some warrants retribution or justice, which may manifest in violent retaliation. Ultimately in these already conflict-affected areas, where trust and social cohesion are fragile but vital, such practices further undermine community stability and safety which perpetuates cycles of violence and harm.
How is NP responding in Iraq?
To address this issue, NP has created safe spaces for women to discuss their experiences and voice their concerns. In 2022, NP organized two community security forums (CSFs) where local authorities and women engaged in direct dialogue about digital extortion and related issues. During these forums, women identified gaps in current policies and proposed measures to mitigate digital extortion. Local authorities, in turn, learned how to better respond and shared information on anonymous reporting, helping raise women’s confidence in seeking help. This dialogue empowered women to share stories that had previously gone unreported. “After holding the forum, there were some women who contacted us directly and reported cases of blackmail.” – Security authority representative, Community Security Forum on Digital Extortion (May 12, 2023)
In addition to these forums, NP has provided protective accompaniment for survivors seeking to report cases of digital extortion to authorities, ensuring their confidentiality and safety. Where no cases of digital extortion had been reported to authorities, NP’s protective presence and commitment to confidentiality has enabled civilians to find their agency and seek justice without fear of retribution.
What’s more, to address the broader issue and spur community discussion on it, NP organized over ten training sessions for community members, including both youth and adults, raising awareness about digital extortion, available support mechanisms, and reporting options. By educating the community about mental health services, reporting channels, and anonymous helplines, NP helped foster a more informed and proactive response to the issue.
In South Mosul, NP through mentorship programs, NP supported youth peace teams in addressing digital violence and other forms of GBV, equipping them to take action when such cases arise in their communities. These teams have also been trained in unarmed civilian protection and have become an essential community actor in ensuring long-term holistic protection for women and girls in the area.
How can we protect survivors better?
The rise of digital violence in conflict zones like Iraq has particularly dangerous implications for populations at risk, especially young women and girls. When left unaddressed, it intensifies social tensions and can contribute to the rise or worsening of community conflicts, potentially manifesting in extreme acts such as honor killings. While organizations like NP can provide important responses, addressing gender-based cyber violence requires a multi-faceted approach that includes action from international policymakers. As various organizations and member states gather in New York for CSW69, they should consider the following:
- Educate. Raising awareness about the harms of TFGBV and challenging harmful gender norms is crucial to preventing these acts of violence
- Adapt international legal frameworks. In addition to awareness-raising, there is an urgent need to strengthen legal frameworks to hold perpetrators accountable and provide clear pathways for survivors to seek justice. Despite being considered the most progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights, the 1995 Beijing Declaration does not address gender-based violence in cyberspace, nor does it provide guidelines for accountability and justice in relation to digital crimes. It is high time to update and reform international legal frameworks to ensure protection against online gender-based violence and ensure that states are held accountable for addressing this growing issue.
- Increase support services for survivors. Increased capacity and funding for local and international CSOs and NGOs to provide mental health, psychosocial, legal, and safe space services for affected individuals is vital, particularly in conflict zones and displacement settings. Survivors of TFGBV must feel empowered to report their experiences without fear of stigma or retaliation.