The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday sounded the alarm over the rapid escalation of digital violence targeting women and girls, marking the start of the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
In a statement issued for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said the surge in online harassment, exploitation, and hate speech poses a growing threat across increasingly accessible digital spaces in the region.
“Digital technologies must serve as tools of empowerment—not as channels that expose women and girls to new forms of harm,” Balkhy said, underscoring this year’s global theme: “Ending Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
Persistent Public Health Crisis
According to WHO, gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive violations of human rights worldwide, affecting one in three women. The consequences, Balkhy noted, extend far beyond the immediate incident, leaving enduring physical, psychological, sexual, and reproductive impacts on survivors.
Children who witness violence in the home also face elevated risks. “They may experience lasting behavioral and emotional challenges that shape their development and mental health,” she said.
Health workers, Balkhy added, are often the first—and sometimes the only—professionals survivors can turn to. WHO is working with governments across the Eastern Mediterranean Region to strengthen national health systems, improve multisectoral coordination, and train providers to deliver survivor-centered care.
Heightened Risks in Crises and Displacement
The WHO regional office also warned that women and girls living in humanitarian emergencies—including refugees and those displaced by conflict—face increased dangers both online and offline.
Women with disabilities encounter additional barriers to accessing essential services and reporting abuse. “We must build health systems that are open, safe, and accessible to every woman and girl,” Balkhy said.
From Awareness to Action
As countries worldwide begin the 16-day global campaign, WHO is urging governments, civil society, and digital platforms to intensify efforts to combat both traditional and emerging forms of gender-based violence.
Balkhy called for the region to turn awareness into practical measures that can restore dignity and ensure safety for all women and girls.
“Let these days be more than symbolic,” she said. “Let them be a catalyst for a reality in which every woman and girl can live freely, safely, and with the full opportunity to reach her potential.”
