Digital Violence: A Legislative Call to Action for Women’s Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean
Description
This episode was recorded on May 28, 2025 during the 21st ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly & 9th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled “Legislating for the Future: Harnessing Anticipatory Governance in Parliamentary Action.” This meeting was organized by ParlAmericas and the Parliament of Uruguay.
Listen to Sherna Benjamin, Vice-President of the Committee of Experts of the Follow-up
Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention (MESECVI), share valuable information on the Inter-American Model Law to Prevent, Punish, and Eradicate Gender-Based Digital Violence Against Women. This regional effort is the result of a participatory process involving diverse stakeholders.
The model law responds to the dangers posed by the digital era, particularly those affecting women. As Sherna highlights, Latin America and the Caribbean is the region with the second-highest rates of online violence against women. This includes a wide range of forms of abuse such as image manipulation, deepfakes, sextortion, cyberstalking, cyberharassment, algorithmic discrimination, and the spread of misogynistic content. Sherna also offers recommendations on concrete actions that parliamentarians can take to foster a safer and more inclusive digital environment.
United States
