Publication: Protecting Women and Girls from Cyber Harassment: A Global Assessment of Existing Laws
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Date
2025-04-17
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Published
2025-04-17
Author(s)
Affoum, Nelsy Reyhanne Marikel
Santagostino Recavarren, Isabel Micaela
Vohra, Nayantara
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Abstract
Cyber violence against women has been rising at alarming rates in recent decades. Such acts not only harm women as individuals but have severe detrimental effects on society and the economy at large. This Brief analyzes laws from 190 economies to assess the extent and coverage of current legislative safeguards women from cyber harassment, one of the many forms of cyber violence. Data collected by the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law project reveals that laws that protect women against cyber harassment exist in only about one-third of economies, covering less than half of the population of children, adolescent girls, and women. Enhancing legal protections is crucial to effectively tackle cyber violence against women.
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“Affoum, Nelsy Reyhanne Marikel; Santagostino Recavarren, Isabel Micaela; Vohra, Nayantara; Wodon, Quentin. 2025. Protecting Women and Girls from Cyber Harassment: A Global Assessment of Existing Laws. Global Indicators Briefs; No. 18. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/43092 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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