LAUNCH OF TOOLKIT TO COMBAT TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

**LAUNCH OF TOOLKIT TO COMBAT TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE**

A new toolkit titled "Taking Action Against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence" has been launched as part of a global initiative to combat the growing issue of gender-based violence online. This initiative aims to build a global observatory focused on gender issues in social media, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer digital environment, particularly for women.

The toolkit was first piloted in December 2023 during a workshop involving young leaders. It provides a range of essential skills to help communities and individuals understand and challenge gender-biased media practices. Additionally, the toolkit teaches how to critically analyze media, raise awareness of gender equality, and respond effectively to various forms of online harassment and abuse.

This toolkit is designed to empower community groups to monitor social media for signs of misogyny and micro-aggressions, which have been shown to exacerbate violence both online and offline. Specifically, it highlights the ways in which women in the public sphere are often targeted for harassment, with the aim of helping these groups respond effectively.

The one-hour online launch event will provide participants with detailed insights into the rising prevalence of online abuse. The event will also discuss how the toolkit can be used effectively to detect and combat gender-based violence. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how the evidence collected through the toolkit can be utilized in both national and global advocacy efforts.

This toolkit is expected to become an important tool in the global effort to create a safer, fairer, and more inclusive social media space, not only for women but for all users.