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Violence against women is increasingly occurring online, according to a recent report by Rutgers International, a Dutch NGO. The study, which focused on seven countries, explored the pervasive impact of patriarchy and the effects of entrenched gender roles in the digital world. The report highlights that gender-based violence, including online harassment, sharing of intimate images without consent, and cyberstalking, is increasingly being weaponized against women in Morocco, adding that artificial intelligence is further complicating the problem by making it easier to create deepfakes and perpetuating harmful stereotypes through algorithmic bias.
read:Morocco: A bank manager embezzled clients’ money
Eighty-two percent of respondents in the study identified patriarchal norms and gender expectations as key factors that exacerbate these forms of violence. The study shows that Moroccan society, like many others, exhibits a pattern of exclusion that discourages or actively prevents women from participating in online spaces, political participation, or public discourse. Rutgers International notes that the anonymity and speed of digital platforms provide perpetrators with unprecedented means to spread harmful content and intimidate victims, often with impunity.
read:Sexual harassment on social networks: the plight of Moroccan women
The NGO noted that in Morocco, as in the other countries studied, serious gaps remain in the understanding and treatment of violence against women and girls, particularly technology-facilitated gender-based violence. As a result, many victims are reluctant to report incidents and press charges due to social stigma, limited legal protection and a general mistrust in the ability of law enforcement agencies to intervene effectively. Even when they do, they often face an inadequate response from authorities who are ill-equipped to handle the nuances of digital violence. Yet, this violence has lasting effects on victims and their mental health and general well-being.
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