Summary

In her vision-setting report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Dubravka Šimonović, decided to address new challenges brought by online violence against women, including prevention, protection, prosecution and redress for such acts.

In the report, the Special Rapporteur notes that the use of information and communications technology has contributed to the empowerment of women and girls and to a fuller realization of their human rights. She also indicates that there is a need to examine online violence, and the applicability of national laws to it. She makes recommendations for States and non-State actors to fight online violence against women and girls while respecting freedom of expression and the prohibition of incitement to violence and hatred, in accordance with article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.