Online violence against women and girls is rising sharply across Southeast Asia as digital technologies become more deeply embedded in daily life.
In response, the Asean Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), together with the Asean Committee on Women (ACW) and in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Thursday launched a region-wide campaign titled “A Collective Call to Action – No Means No. Online Too.”
The campaign was unveiled in Bangkok during the global 16 Days of Activism, bringing together over 100 representatives from governments, civil society, youth groups, academia, the private sector, and digital safety advocates.
According to Asean and UNFPA, online gender-based violence (GBV), including cyber-harassment, online stalking, gendered disinformation, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and digital coercion, is now one of the fastest-growing forms of violence in the region.
Studies show 16% to 58% of women have experienced online GBV, while 85% have witnessed it, leading to long-term psychological, social, and economic harm.
“Online violence erodes the safety, dignity, and participation of women and girls in digital spaces… and reflects the same power imbalances and harmful norms as offline violence,” said Soukphaphone Phanit, Lao PDR’s representative to ACWC for Women’s Rights and a co-champion of the campaign.
The initiative follows a multi-year consultation process. In October 2024, Asean bodies, supported by UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO), gathered in Bangkok to assess the rising levels of online violence and develop a coordinated regional communication strategy.
Thursday’s event also marked Thailand’s national launch of the campaign, highlighting how member states can localize the regional framework. A panel discussion showcased emerging good practices and policy recommendations on digital safety.
“Localizing the campaign is essential so that communities, families, and young people can speak up and take action,” said Dr Ratchada Jayagupta, Thailand’s representative to ACWC and campaign co-champion.
The campaign offers communication materials in English and national languages—videos, social media cards, and easy-to-share assets—to help governments and partners raise awareness and promote safe online behaviour.
It also emphasizes the importance of bystander intervention and survivor-centred support systems.
UNFPA officials warned that online abuse often escalates into offline harm.
“As Asean prioritizes digitalization and AI for economic growth, it is critical that we protect women and children… Data shows online abuse could easily escalate to offline violence, as we see with 70% of girls under 18 in the Philippines,” said Pressia Arifin-Cabo, UNFPA’s Senior Principal Liaison for Asean.
The initiative underscores Asean’s growing commitment to strengthening regional safeguards and multi-sectoral collaboration among technology, police, health, and social service institutions to address online and offline GBV.
