A feminist internet

This issue brief explores questions related to online expression for feminist and women’s rights activists, and draws upon the emerging trends and challenges. It also provides an introduction to useful emerging language and advocacy for the UN Commission on the Status of Women and beyond.

Join us at a special 30th anniversary event for World Press Freedom Day where freedom of expression rapporteurs will discuss the agreed conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women plus recommendations of the 2022 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Gender Justice.

In response to the violence they face online, women censor themselves, stepping back from conversations online and sometimes exiting online spaces entirely. At times, however, they continue to speak and exist online but alter their speech and behaviour to comply with perceived social norms.

In spite of expanding awareness on online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, there has only been an increase in the violence online in the last decade. Feminist research points to ways to address this ongoing challenge.

This year's Commission on the Status of Women is the first ever to focus on gender equality and digital technologies. Here is APC's recommended reading list to help us all prepare for the discussions at CSW67.

The overregulation of women's and gender-diverse folks' bodies in South Asian culture has found its way into online spaces and heavily polices how bodily autonomy is expressed and regarded. Seerat Khan discusses barriers to this autonomy and their impact on self-expression.

The 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is the first in its history to have a specific focus on gender equality and digital technologies. APC will be bringing forward key issues around online gender-based violence, freedom of speech and more.

APC works to root self and collective care in its work, balancing agency and accountability and acknowledging the power rooted in systemic oppression and that we come to spaces with diversities and various traumas which impact our ability to participate in collective spaces.