Threats and Opportunities of Digital Technologies: Women in the Public Eye

Side-event co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Permanent Mission of Luxembourg to the United Nations, during  the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers

Monday 10 March 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM EST (8:00 – 09:15 PM CET)

ECOSOC Chamber, General Assembly Building, United Nations, New York 

 Watch the recording of the event  

Digital technologies unlock vast opportunities yet they also pose profound risks. They are intrinsic to the professional, personal and social lives of countless women, especially among younger generations. But while they are powerful tools for advancing gender equality and strengthening democracy, they can also be weaponised to work against them. The online environment, facilitated by the speed of the internet, enables widespread dissemination of misogynistic narratives ranging from gender biases and stereotypes to overt hate speech and incitements to violence sometimes under the shield of anonymity. Using technology-facilitated violence to silence women’s voices is a manifest attack on democratic values. 

National authorities, institutions, civil society and the private sector have a crucial role to play to keep all women safe and prevent the normalisation of this increasing type of violence. Although the number of female public figures is increasing, they bear the brunt of technology-facilitated violence because of entrenched gender biases which are as prevalent online as offline. Women in the public eye are prime targets and disproportionately endure the consequences, which include harm on their safety, mental health, dignity and reputation.

The event will explore promising initiatives and measures in the public and private sectors to prevent and combat digital violence against women and to facilitate its reporting in line with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women. Bringing together political leaders, journalists, international partners, tech industry representatives and civil society, the side-event will examine how to prevent the normalisation of digital violence and ensure the voices of high-profile women engaged in public or political activism are heard.

Speakers
  • Rachel Gilmore, Independent journalist
  • John-Orr Hanna, Online Safety / Threat Intel Specialist
  • Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou, President of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) of the Council of Europe
  • Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women and Girls Section, UN Women
  • Irena Moozova, Deputy Director-General “International Dimension of Justice Policies, Rule of Law and Equality”, DG-JUST, EU
  • José Campi Portaluppi, Director of Communications and Advocacy with Equimundo
  • Moderator: Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe