We are very happy to announce the initiation of the groundbreaking project CybeSafe, a vital endeavour dedicated to raising awareness about cyber violence against women and providing essential resources to help women stay safe in the digital world. Cyber gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that inflicts severe physical, psychological, mental, and economic consequences on its victims. Although precise statistics remain elusive, it is widely acknowledged by the Council of Europe that millions of women endure cyber violence, highlighting the urgent need for action. Through this project, we aim to develop comprehensive resources specifically tailored to the unique challenges women face online. These resources will encompass practical advice, proactive measures, and strategies for responding to cyber violence, enabling women to safeguard their digital identities, personal information, and overall well-being.

Since March 2020, global internet usage has soared by 50-70%. With increased connectivity, the world has also faced an escalation of the negative side of the digital space – cyber harassment. This type of violence can take on various forms, such as online bullying, cyberstalking, hate speech, and public shaming. However, just like offline violence, cyber harassment perpetuates negative psychological, social, and reproductive health impacts on victims, sometimes also leading to offline physical and sexual violence.

According to the research of the Council of Europe, cyber violence against women is escalating quickly. Gender-based violence remains one of our societies’ biggest challenges and is deeply rooted in gender inequality. It is both a cause and consequence of gender inequalities. It is a violation of human rights and the most severe form of discrimination on the basis
of sex and results from unequal power relations between women and men. The general objective of the project is to advance the skills of women that are using the internet to identify and tackle cyber threats and to seek assistance in case their rights are violated.

The specific objectives are:
1. Advancement of the skills of women to avoid cyber violence or report it when it’s happening
2. Fight the social stigma: Women are usually revictimized by social media
3. Support women’s rights groups and victims’ consultation
4. Raise awareness of the various forms of cyber violence
5. Promotion of digital safety
6. Creation of a safe space for victims of cyber GBV
7. Advancement of the organizations’ skills in the topic of the project but also in working on an international level

We invite you to join us on this transformative journey toward a safer and more inclusive digital landscape. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of women and pave the way for a future where all individuals can thrive online, free from the shackles of cyber violence.

Stay tuned following our project: #cybersafeeu