Millions Exposed, Few Protected: The Global Failure to Combat Digital Gender Abuse

A global World Bank assessment reveals that fewer than one-third of countries have laws protecting women and girls from cyber harassment, leaving millions vulnerable to digital abuse. Despite rising online violence, legal frameworks remain outdated, fragmented, and often lack survivor-centered remedies.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through digital platforms, a dark and pervasive threat has emerged that disproportionately affects women and girls: cyber harassment. A recent report authored by Nelsy Reyhanne Marikel Affoum, Isabel Micaela Santagostino Recavarren, Nayantara Vohra, and Quentin Wodon, drawing on data from the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law initiative and supported by UNESCO IIBA lays bare the extent of legal shortcomings across 190 economies in addressing online violence. This comprehensive global assessment reveals a sobering reality: while the digital world expands, protections for those most vulnerable to its abuses remain dangerously inadequate.

A Global Epidemic of Digital Abuse

Cyber harassment and online abuse have become alarmingly common, with research showing that women are more likely than men to be targeted in the digital sphere. This includes a range of behaviors sexual harassment, stalking, threats, image-based abuse, and hate speech, that inflict deep psychological harm and often spill over into real-world violence. The World Health Organization reports that one in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and online violence is increasingly part of that continuum. A 2020 Plan International study found that 58 percent of girls and women across 22 countries had experienced online violence. The COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed social and economic life online, only intensified the problem. In Australia, reports of online abuse jumped by 50 percent during lockdown periods.

Women in public roles, such as politicians, journalists, and activists, face especially aggressive digital attacks. Those from marginalized communities based on race, disability, or socio-economic status are often disproportionately targeted. Despite these trends, the law remains decades behind. Most legal systems still do not recognize cyber harassment as a distinct offense, and even fewer offer meaningful protections to the victims. Without adequate legal tools, survivors are left to navigate hostile digital environments alone.

Legal Protection Is the Exception, Not the Norm

Out of 190 economies assessed, only 58 have enacted any laws to address cyber harassment or bullying. Just 22 of these address the specific issue of cyber sexual harassment. In effect, fewer than half the world’s women are protected under any kind of relevant legal framework. Even in regions with higher legislative activity, such as OECD countries, laws are often inconsistent or fail to define the specific behaviors that constitute online abuse. The Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia display the most significant legal gaps, leaving large populations exposed to unchecked digital violence.

One reason for the lag is the lack of legal clarity. Many national laws were written before the rise of social media and do not reflect the new realities of digital interaction. Terms such as "cyber harassment," "online violence," and "digital abuse" are used interchangeably and often lack clear definitions. Even where cybercrime laws exist, they rarely address the gendered dimensions of online abuse or offer survivor-centered solutions. This legal vacuum not only limits justice for victims but also enables impunity for perpetrators.

Criminal Penalties Without Civil Remedies

Among the 58 countries with laws addressing cyber harassment, 53 impose criminal penalties such as imprisonment or fines. In India, for example, repeat offenders can face up to five years in prison. Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act allows for three to ten years of imprisonment for online abuse. Yet while punishment is important, redress for victims remains an afterthought. Only seven countries Israel, Kenya, Bhutan, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Uganda provide avenues for civil remedies, including compensation for medical expenses, relocation, or legal costs.

These civil remedies are crucial, as they offer survivors tangible support and affirm their right to justice beyond criminal prosecution. Kenya’s law, for instance, allows courts to award compensation for any offense under its Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. Israel enables compensation without requiring victims to prove damages, an important step toward survivor-friendly legal processes.

Good Practices and Promising Innovations

Despite the overwhelming gaps, some countries are emerging as leaders in crafting comprehensive digital protection laws. Mexico’s landmark legislation allows courts to issue protection orders that mandate digital platforms to remove harmful content. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ 2016 Cybercrime Act not only defines harassment clearly but also outlines detailed investigation procedures and includes obligations for internet service providers. South Africa’s Protection from Harassment Act enables courts to compel electronic communications providers to share user data or block abusive messages.

Some nations have gone further by creating national enforcement bodies. Nigeria’s Cybercrime Advisory Council and Cybersecurity Fund support enforcement and public awareness. Israel has a dedicated police unit and a 24/7 hotline for cybercrimes. Malawi’s Communications Regulatory Authority appoints a cyber inspector to handle complaints and conduct educational campaigns. These multi-pronged approaches offer a blueprint for more robust protections.

Vulnerable Populations Left Behind

One of the most alarming findings of the report is the near-complete neglect of vulnerable groups, especially children and women with disabilities. Only 21 countries have legal provisions specifically addressing cyber harassment against children, and just nine provide enhanced protections for women with disabilities. In El Salvador, for instance, spreading sexual content involving women with disabilities can result in up to eight years in prison. Saudi Arabia imposes heavier penalties for crimes against individuals with “special needs.” But these are exceptions. For the vast majority of vulnerable populations, legal recognition is nonexistent.

Children are particularly at risk of cyberbullying, grooming, and online exploitation. Yet legal systems often treat them as passive victims, failing to give them tools for redress or protection. France, Belize, and Israel are among the few that impose stronger penalties for online offenses against minors, but far more needs to be done to create digital environments where young people can safely learn and grow.

The digital world has become a new frontier for gender-based violence, and the global legal response remains perilously slow. Laws exist in only a fraction of countries and offer limited support to those who need it most. While some promising legal models have emerged, there is an urgent need for comprehensive, survivor-centered legislation that not only punishes offenders but also empowers victims. As technology evolves, so too must the systems that govern it. Ending online violence is not just a matter of digital safety, it is essential to achieving gender equality and upholding basic human rights in the digital age.