Model framework for legislation on technology-facilitated violence against women and girls

Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (TF VAWG) is a growing and pervasive concern that affects women and girls across all regions and countries of the world. In recent years, thanks to feminist mobilization and advocacy, international and regional frameworks have increasingly recognized the need for legislation on TF VAWG. Major gaps, however, still persist in legal protections, with more than half the global population of women still unprotected. Even where legislation does exist, laws do not usually include the full spectrum of TF VAWG and have failed to keep pace with rapid technological change.

Comprehensive laws addressing the full spectrum of TF VAWG are imperative to end impunity and ensure justice, protection, and support for victims/survivors.

This brief presents the main elements of the forthcoming “Supplement to the handbook for legislation on violence against women on technology-facilitated violence against women and girls”. The supplement aims to guide legislators in the adoption or the revision of laws to ensure legal frameworks provide the necessary protection and remedies to prevent and respond to TF VAWG, by setting clear recommendations on what legislation should be addressing to meet global norms and standards and reflect the latest lessons learned from country experiences across all world regions. These recommendations are underpinned by shared principles and standards that can be adapted and localized across different countries and jurisdictions in the world.