How Digital Misogyny Fuels Real-world Inequality During 16 Days of Activism

November 25th to December 10th 2025, marks the UN 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, under the theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”

As someone who self-identifies as “chronically online,” I understand just how intertwined the digital world is woven into the real world. Our entertainment, source of relaxation, communication with family and friends, dating life, career, education, hobbies, health care, and even brief interactions with strangers happen (sometimes primarily) in the digital world. Canadians spend, on average, more than six hours a day online, yet 1 in 10 girls experience digital gender-based violence daily.

Cyberstalking, sexual harassment, and revenge porn have existed nearly as long as the internet itself, but the scale and impact of digital gender-based violence have evolved. However, as the digital landscape is changing, online gender-based violence is changing as well. Reduced content moderation on social media, unregulated AI use, and the rise of “manosphere” influencers have contributed to systemic human rights violations, posing a modern threat to democracy and peacebuilding.

Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) hail themselves as the global town square where everyone across the world can meet and share their perspectives, yet the environment is so hostile towards women and gender-diverse people that their mere participation invites harassment. Digital Gender-Based Violence (DGBV) is a deliberate act of digital exclusion designed to silence women's voices, which in turn fuels real-world conflict, polarization, and inequality.

Like any system, online sexism and misogyny rely on specific mechanisms to function. Some of these mechanisms are:

While any woman who participates in social media and occupies space in the digital world may experience these forms of violence, public figures are especially at risk. These tactics are used to inflict reputational, emotional, and even physical harm against women who pursue positions in politics, journalism, or activism. These forms of violence lead women and gender-diverse people to engage in self-censorship, total withdrawal from digital spaces, and/or reluctance to take on these important roles. More than 50% of women and gender-diverse people reduce their online presence or self-censor to avoid harm. The silencing of diverse, inclusive perspectives creates a dangerous democratic deficit and a digital sphere that is dominated by homogenous and often extreme voices.

It is also important to remember that this online hate is not contained. Unchecked digital echo chambers like the “manosphere” spill into mainstream narratives, such as discourse advocating for reversing women’s right to vote. The digital space is no longer an escape from reality, but rather a new front where DGBV is effectively weaponized to dismantle community and threaten the foundations of inclusive governance.

Ending digital violence requires a commitment that extends beyond superficial platform “fixes” to address the systemic trauma and conflict it creates. Action must be taken at all levels to mitigate future harm, creating space for healing for victims of DGBV and shifting societal attitudes and conditions that perpetuate misogyny.

First, we must identify the roles of the public and private sectors in fulfilling their responsibilities to create and uphold the social contract governing how the public engages online. This includes shifting the burden from users by developing public and corporate policy frameworks that go beyond simple “Terms of Service” to enforce real accountability and prevent harm. Policy design, content moderation, and incident response must be trauma-aware, minimizing re-traumatization for survivors reporting abuse.

Secondly, we must advocate for feminist solutions to widespread social issues that contribute to a diminished quality of life (which, in turn, can lead to anger and resentment redirected toward women, gender-diverse people, newcomers, etc.). This also includes investing in and amplifying feminist organizations working to end violence against women and digital rights advocates.

Thirdly, as individuals, we must actively learn to identify and challenge digital abuse and consciously commit to making our online engagement a true reflection of the inclusion and belonging we seek in the real world.

we may encounter harassment and violence in comment sections and reshared tweets. Let’s resist complacency and recognize that complacency and recognize that DGBV is not permissible internet noise but a direct attack on the future of inclusive civic life. It is time to demand— and build — an internet that upholds human rights, belonging, and peace for all.