Published on: 2026-04-30
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The number of police reports related to online violence against women working in the media has doubled since 2020. This is mentioned in a new report by the “UN Women” entity, published recently.World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated on May 3.
The authors of the report, prepared jointly with the organization TheNerve and partners, warn that online violence against women, especially those who actively participate in public life, is becoming increasingly “common and sophisticated.”
According to the study, 12 percent of surveyed women – human rights defenders, journalists, and other public figures – reported unauthorized distribution of personal images, including intimate ones. Six percent becamevictims of deepfakes, and almost every third person faced unwanted sexual propositions in digital messages.
Pressure and self-censorship
The authors of the report emphasize that the attacks often have a purposeful and coordinated nature and are aimed at undermining the professional reputation of women and their displacement from the public sphere.
Almost half of journalists (45 percent) in 2025 admitted that they are limiting their activity on social networks due to threats and insults – this is 50 percent more than in 2020. Almost 22 percent reported that they are forced to resort to self-censorship in their professional activities.
Overall, 41 percent of all respondents said they practice self-censorship on the internet, and 19 percent do so at work.
Health consequences
Online violence has a serious impact on mental health. Almost 25 percent of media employees reported being diagnosed with anxiety disorders or depression related to such experiences, and about 13 percent suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Artificial intelligence simplifies the task for malicious actors, and actions become even more destructive, enhancing the rollback in respect for human rights against the backdrop of the undermining of democracy and the spread of network misogyny,” stated Calliope Minger, a representative of the “UN Women” structure.
More police reports
At the same time, there is an observed increase in the number of appeals to law enforcement agencies. In 2025, 22 percent of female journalists reported cases of online violence to the police — twice as many as in 2020.
Almost 14 percent also take legal action against violators or organizations that promote violence.
Insufficient legal protection
Despite the increase in awareness, legal protection remains limited. According to the World Bank, fewer than 40 percent of countries have laws protecting women from cyberstalking and online harassment.
As a result, about 44 percent of women and girls worldwide — approximately 1.8 billion people — remain without legal protection.
The UN emphasizes that without urgent measures to strengthen the regulation, mechanisms of responsibility of online platforms and support for victims of violence will continue to restrict freedom of expression and the participation of women in public life.
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