Online gender-based violence stifles women’s digital inclusion & financial freedom

Globally, violence against women is on the rise, especially in online spaces. Our new report, “Empowered or Undermined? Women Entrepreneurs and the Digital Economy”, reveals how online gender-based violence (GBV) impacts women entrepreneurs and their ability to thrive in the digital economy. As global leaders and change-makers gather in New York for the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, where violence against women will be a key topic of conversation, our CEO, Dhivya O’Connor, shares critical findings and calls for urgent action.

The growing threat of gender-based violence 

Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, with alarming increases in some regions and contexts. Women facing racial or other forms of discrimination are at even greater risk.  

Victims of harassment, whether in the physical or virtual realms, often experience long-term trauma that can be incredibly challenging to overcome, even with support. Such experiences not only damage the victims but also create a climate of anxiety and negative expectation that causes other women to limit their use of public and private services, such as urban mass transit or e-commerce platforms, even when the alternatives are suboptimal. For women business owners, limiting use of such services can mean limiting business growth and success, negatively impacting their ability to achieve financial independence.

Our research, conducted with Intuit and the World Bank’s Women, Business, and the Law project, surveyed nearly 3,000 women entrepreneurs across almost 100 low and middle income countries. It found that:

The double-edged sword of the digital world 

Operating online offers protection from certain forms of GBV—allowing women to not deal with male customers in person, conceal their identities, accept digital payments, and implement safety measures. However, digital spaces have become increasingly hostile, with women facing new forms of abuse, stalking, harassment, and exploitation.

This means moving online does not effectively mitigate women’s safety concerns. Rather, online interactions seem to create a different set of concerns for women. 45% of respondents to our survey feel comfortable interacting with men online, compared to 44% in person – hardly a notable difference. It seems that to succeed in the digital economy, many women must risk online GBV. 

Social media: a critical tool or a dangerous weapon? 

Social media, a powerful business tool, is a particular hub for online GBV. The ability to operate anonymously or seemingly inconsequentially, coupled with increasingly lax user moderations, makes it very easy to harass women, while algorithms that prioritise engagement often amplify harmful content.  

Our research found that: 

• 57% of surveyed women entrepreneurs have experienced harassment on social media.
• 23% have faced verbal attacks or degrading comments.
• 22% have received unsolicited explicit images or messages.

I was particularly struck by one survey response from a woman entrepreneur in Papua New Guinea, who shared her experience being harassed and exploited by an anonymous social media user. She said: “My picture was photoshopped, and I was threatened it would be shared.”

Despite these dangers, social media remains crucial for business growth. It helps women entrepreneurs—many juggling businesses with major unpaid care workloads—overcome barriers and reach customers, offer services, and network with peers from their homes. Nine out of 10 women entrepreneurs use social media daily, with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram being the most popular platforms.  

The cost of inaction – and a call to action

Recent rollbacks in user protections on digital platforms have fuelled an increase in hate speech and abuse. This threatens women entrepreneurs, pushing them out of online spaces, limiting business growth, and stifling digital inclusion. Social media companies, too, risk losing valuable users and revenue.

With the digital economy expanding, women cannot afford to stay offline. Digital tools—especially social media and digital payments—are transforming businesses. Their success drives job creation, economic growth, and gender equality. 

To unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs, we must ensure safer online and offline environments. We call on: 

• Governments to introduce stronger legal protections against online and offline GBV. 
• Technology companies to implement safer digital spaces for women entrepreneurs.
• NGOs to develop digital safety training in collaboration with experts, local organisations, and women entrepreneurs. 

Women’s participation in the digital economy is not optional—it’s essential.  

It’s time to take action.