Women Remain Unprotected Online Worldwide

[RoadWarrior]

According to the World Wide Web Foundation’s report, the vast majority of countries fail to tackle gender-based violence on the Internet. The report covering 86 countries concludes that in 3/4 of the nations examined, including developed, law enforcement agencies and courts fail to take appropriate actions in response to acts of gender-based violence.

Many countries lack clear legal protection, either via application of existing laws or development of new ones, against gendered violence on the Internet. The report also shows that the police and judiciary lack training and clear guidelines, while the lack of arrest and prosecution of perpetrators means that strong enforcement is not taking place. The World Wide Web Foundation’s report mentions proliferation of “revenge porn”, cyberstalking, and online sexual harassment as ways that gender inequality can manifest as violence on the Internet.

The report ranked countries based on the economic, social and political benefit gained from the web. For example, Brazil is seen by the report as a “beacon of hope”, as its Marco Civil law enshrines a right to a neutral, free and private Internet for all Brazilians, where the government has to ensure equal access to connectivity and digital skills.

The Word Wide Web Foundation was established by inventor of the Internet, Tim Berners-Lee, 6 years ago and is devoted to improving the quality of the Internet and access to it. Berners-Lee claims that it’s time to recognize the worldwide web as a basic human right. That means guaranteeing affordable access for all, ensuring that the web is delivered without commercial or political discrimination. The aim of the organization is also to protect the privacy and freedom of Internet users regardless of where they are from.