• June 26, 2024

Rising Cases of Online Violence Against Women Spark Concern

Supriya Rai, Kathmandu, June 26: Recently, gender violence activists have expressed concern over the rising incidents of violence against women occurring through social media platforms. Speaking at a discussion program titled “Women on Social Media: Problems and Solutions,” organized today (Wednesday) by Madan Bhandari Memorial College on the occasion of its 23rd annual festival, speakers emphasized that the increasing misuse of social media to perpetrate violence against women is alarming and stressed the need for stricter laws to combat this issue.

During the program facilitated by Amar Dhoj Lama, Executive Director of Radio Shweta Shardul 93.6 MHz, the speakers reviewed Nepal’s mechanisms for controlling cybercrime, existing laws, and social trends. Former Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal shared her own experiences of encountering violence on social media and highlighted the necessity of new laws to regulate social media and prevent such incidents. She mentioned that she disregards negative reactions on social media and emphasized that everyone should be knowledgeable about how to regulate and properly use current technologies.

Paudyal also expressed concern that the perspective towards women remains unchanged, and that especially young girls are still subjected to sexual violence. She stressed that the misuse of technology leading to increased violence against women is a significant concern.

Another key speaker, Bishnumaya Bhushal, Associate Professor at Nepal Law Campus and a member of Nepal Melmilap Council, highlighted the need for digital literacy alongside the growing use of technology in Nepal. She underscored the importance of creating specific legal provisions to prevent the misuse of social media and advocated for collective efforts to eradicate the distortions seen on social media rather than blaming each other.

It is high time for all young girls and women to raise their voices against verbal and physical abuse. Women in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to digital abuse, making it crucial to raise awareness and implement strong penalties for perpetrators. Educating boys and men about respectful behavior and the harmful effects of abuse is essential for fostering a culture of respect and safety. Community support and robust legal frameworks are necessary to protect victims and prevent abuse. Together, we can work towards a society where every woman and girl feels safe and empowered to speak out against injustice.