ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- Online violence has become more visible because of the widespread use of digital media. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to online violence and blackmail. The purpose of online violence mostly inflicted by men is to threaten, silence, humiliate and embarrass women and girls.

Girls and women are afraid

 In an interview with NuJINHA, Egyptian human rights activist Tarneem Atef talked about the activities of women’s organizations and NGOs in Cairo to protect girls and women from online violence. Stating that women and girls victims of online violence are afraid of reporting violence against them. “They remain silent because they are afraid of being rejected by society.”

 Recently, many women organizations and NGOs have carried out awareness-raising activities and campaigns to combat online violence and blackmail. “These activities and campaigns aim to encourage women and girls to report online violence and share their experiences with other women and girls,” said Tarneem Atef, who tries to stay away from the digital world as much as possible. She turns off her webcam while working and rarely uses her mobile phone.

One of her friends was also subjected to online violence. “One of her friends from university managed to get her personal photos and threatened to share her photos if she did not meet him. She met this person. After thinking for days, she decided to tell what had happened to her father. Her father supported her and stood by her.”

‘Online blackmail has become widespread’

Naglaa Abdel Maqsoud, member of the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women and an initiative combating online violence in Egypt, pointed out that online blackmail has become widespread recently. “Mobile phones of girls have been hacked. The aim of the hackers is to force girls into illegal activities. One of my friends was also subjected to blackmail. She reported the incident to police. However, the blackmailer threatened my friend again and said that he would spread false news about her. Then, she learned that the blackmailer was her husband and she told her family that she wanted divorce. Her family rejected that because people look down on divorced women. Women are forced to live with their husbands although they face problems.”

‘We need toughening penalties’

Naglaa Abdel Maqsoud thinks toughening penalties and awareness-raising campaigns are needed to combat online violence and blackmail. “Most of the girls do not know how they protect themselves against online violence and blackmail. Women and girls victims of online violence and blackmail must be encouraged to report the incidents to police. Parents should talk to their daughters about online violence and blackmail, providing a safe space for them and taking legal steps to protect their daughters.”