Under the esteemed patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt hosted the 10th General Conference of the Arab Women Organization (AWO), a landmark event focused on pressing issues surrounding women’s digital safety. The conference, entitled “Connectivity, Empowerment, and Protection of Women and Girls from Cyber Violence and Technology-Driven Abuse, Including Artificial Intelligence,” highlighted the urgent need for a collaborative approach to tackle digital violence and its impact on women.
Dr. Maya Morsy, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity and the current President of the Supreme Council of the AWO, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to addressing the growing threat of cyber violence. In her speech, Dr. Morsy underlined that the conference was a direct reflection of Egypt’s dedication to empowering women across all sectors, with a particular focus on the challenges they face in the digital age.
Cyber Violence: The Growing Threat to Women’s Rights
Dr. Morsy pointed out that while digital technology has revolutionized communication, education, and business, it has also introduced new forms of gender-based violence. She emphasized that cyber violence—which includes online harassment, stalking, digital blackmail, and the non-consensual sharing of private information—has become an alarming reality for many women and girls.
This form of violence is particularly dangerous as it extends and exacerbates existing patterns of gender-based abuse, making it more difficult for women to escape its effects. Dr. Morsy firmly stated that Egypt remains steadfast in protecting its citizens, with particular focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of women and girls in both physical and digital spaces.
Egypt’s Progress on Women’s Empowerment and Digital Safety
Dr. Morsy shared that Egypt has made significant strides in women’s empowerment, particularly within the technology sector. Women now represent 36% of higher education graduates in Egypt, and 48% of the country’s research workforce is female. Additionally, 40% of Egypt’s workforce in information and communication technology (ICT) is made up of women, with 50% of leadership positions within Egypt’s Ministry of Communications held by women.
These advancements have been part of Egypt’s broader strategy to digitally empower women and encourage their participation in STEM fields. Since 2017, the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030 has included specific initiatives focused on technology, innovation, and financial inclusion. The country has also taken part in global efforts to foster gender equality in technology and innovation, creating platforms for female entrepreneurs and empowering them with the knowledge and tools to succeed.
Dr. Morsy also highlighted the launch of the National Tech Hackathon, aimed at finding technological solutions to combat online violence against women. Additionally, Egypt’s partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) seeks to empower female entrepreneurs by providing opportunities to protect their intellectual property. These efforts are complemented by awareness campaigns, in collaboration with major social media platforms, to promote online safety and cyber hygiene.
Legislative Framework for Protecting Women from Cyber Violence
Dr. Morsy underscored the importance of strong legal frameworks in addressing cyber violence. She highlighted Law No. 175 of 2018 on Cybercrime, which aims to regulate digital spaces and safeguard individuals’ personal data. The law is a cornerstone of Egypt’s response to cyber threats, offering a legal mechanism to punish those who engage in online harassment or exploit technology to harm women.
In collaboration with civil society organizations, Egypt’s law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to implement this law and provide victims with the support they need. The National Council for Women has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about digital violence, providing victims with resources and reporting mechanisms, including a hotline for victims of online abuse.
Global Dimensions: The Impact of Cyber Violence on Women’s Leadership
On the global stage, Dr. Morsy pointed out that cyber violence disproportionately affects women in leadership roles, particularly in politics, business, and academia. Digital harassment, including online defamation and smear campaigns, aims to undermine women’s achievements and deter them from engaging in public life. She cited the CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, which recognizes the harmful impact of cyber violence on women’s participation in political and public life.
Dr. Morsy called for international cooperation in combating cyber violence, urging governments and international organizations to collaborate on enhancing legal frameworks, sharing best practices, and coordinating global awareness campaigns. She also stressed the importance of capacity-building for law enforcement agencies to improve their ability to handle cybercrime cases involving women.
The Role of International Campaigns and Initiatives
Dr. Morsy highlighted the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that has played a crucial role in raising awareness about gender-based violence, including cyber violence. This campaign emphasizes the importance of a collective response to violence against women, promoting the need for legislative reform, public education, and community mobilization.
In her remarks, Dr. Morsy noted that this global campaign has raised awareness about the gendered dimensions of digital violence and has led to increased advocacy for the protection of women’s rights online. The Egyptian government, alongside civil society, has been instrumental in contributing to this global movement by focusing on both preventive measures and support services for victims of online abuse.
The Role of Tech Companies in Ensuring Safe Digital Spaces
Dr. Morsy also emphasized the responsibility of tech companies in shaping safe digital environments. She urged digital platforms and tech companies to implement stronger privacy controls, content moderation policies, and user protections to shield women from online violence. She stressed that companies should go beyond being neutral intermediaries and proactively ensure that their services do not facilitate gender-based abuse.
She called for the adoption of clear policies that explicitly criminalize online harassment, cyberstalking, and defamation against women, and for the establishment of transparent reporting systems that enable users to easily report abuse. Moreover, Dr. Morsy advocated for collaborative efforts between governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations to combat cyber violence on a global scale.
Conclusion: A Collective Effort for a Safer Digital Future
Concluding her address, Dr. Morsy highlighted that tackling cyber violence against women is a shared responsibility. The collective fight against cyber violence is essential not only for protecting women but also for ensuring that technology remains a tool for empowerment, not oppression.
