UAE Workshop Targets Tech-Driven Gender Violence

The UAE Gender Balance Council (UAE GBC), in collaboration with The Global Council on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), recently conducted a workshop focused on formulating policy guidelines to prevent and address Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The event, hosted at the Government of Dubai Media Office, gathered experts, policymakers from government entities, international organizations, and technology companies. Together, they aimed to define areas of collaboration and outline priorities for developing policies that address and prevent gender-based violence occurring through digital platforms.

Opening the workshop, Ruqayya Albloushi, Executive Director of International Relations at the Prime Minister’s Office, welcomed participants on behalf of Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and Chairman of The Global Council of SDG5. Albloushi highlighted the significance of the Global Councils on the Sustainable Development Goals, established during the 2018 World Government Summit, to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among decision-makers from various sectors.

Mona Al Marri emphasized the urgent need for guidelines in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. She stressed that the creation of these guidelines aligns with the UAE GBC’s commitment to achieving the 5th Sustainable Development Goal, reflecting their dedication to empowering women globally and promoting gender balance.

The workshop, moderated by Elena Siegel, Partner at Kearney and SDG5 member, aimed to strengthen the existing policy landscape and explore collaborative efforts between the government and private sector in addressing TFGBV. Discussions centered on identifying prevalent forms of TFGBV, regional variations, measuring impact, and evaluating existing policy interventions and tech company initiatives.

Participants acknowledged the necessity of proactive solutions, emphasizing the role of the private sector in addressing gender-based violence online. They highlighted the importance of adopting principle-based approaches, fostering partnerships between the private sector and government, and incorporating protective measures into policy design from the outset. Collaboration with law enforcement was underscored as crucial to ensure a unified approach.

The workshop also delved into the challenges posed by technological advancements like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Participants explored ways to develop sustainable and adaptable guidelines to combat gender-based violence in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In conclusion, the workshop served as a catalyst for a comprehensive approach to addressing gender-based violence online, emphasizing the integration of technology, education, awareness, and policy-making. The UAE GBC and the Global Council on SDG 5 recognize the importance of collaborative policymaking to contribute to the development of guidelines in the ongoing effort to combat tech-facilitated gender-based violence.