The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms Launches Charter for the Protection of Women and Girls from Digital Violence “A Pioneering Step Towards a Safe Digital Space”

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms launched today the “Charter of General Principles for the Protection of Women and Girls from Digital Violence” in cooperation with the Grandma Amina’s Stories platform and a number of Egyptian and Arab organizations. This pioneering national and regional initiative aims to enhance the protection of women and girls in the digital space and ensure their safe and independent participation in the digital society, in accordance with the highest national, international, and regional standards of human rights and women’s rights.

The launch of the Charter stems from a deep belief in the right of women and girls to live in freedom and dignity, and to be protected from all forms of violence and discrimination in both the public and digital spaces. It also reflects an understanding of the direct threat that digital violence poses to women’s psychological and physical well-being, dignity, and their right to expression and participation in society. The Charter is based on applicable national legislation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and all relevant international and regional agreements.

The Charter establishes a comprehensive legal and ethical framework, setting clear and binding principles for all individuals, governmental and non-governmental entities, media and digital institutions, and civil society organizations, to ensure a safe and equitable digital space that respects the rights of women and girls and protects them from all forms of gender-based violence.

The Charter includes 20 key articles covering the protection of women and girls in the digital sphere, including:

Ensuring a safe digital environment and upholding the human dignity of all women and girls, preventing any content that violates their dignity, and implementing strict policies to curb digital abuse.

Preventing all forms of digital violence, including harassment, blackmail, and hate speech, and establishing clear mechanisms for monitoring and legal accountability. Protecting underage girls and women human rights defenders: Providing safe and confidential reporting mechanisms, legal, psychological, and technical support, and addressing any violations targeting them due to their human rights activism.

Enhancing digital awareness and cybersecurity: Training and awareness programs for women and girls to empower them to protect their personal data and information and counter cyberattacks.

Developing comprehensive and effective reporting and response mechanisms: Ensuring the confidentiality of whistleblowers, direct communication with law enforcement when needed, and guaranteeing immediate responses to complaints.

Aligning internal policies and programs: Adopting a gender perspective in digital policies and programs in accordance with the Maputo Protocol and international and regional standards for the protection of women.

Strengthening national, regional, and international cooperation: Sharing experiences and best practices, developing joint training and capacity-building programs, and establishing platforms and mechanisms to monitor online violence and provide legal, psychological, and technical support to survivors, in cooperation with the “Grandma Amina’s Stories” platform and a number of Egyptian and Arab organizations. Ethical and Institutional Commitment: Adopting mechanisms for periodic monitoring and evaluation, overseeing adherence to the principles outlined in the Charter, and fostering an institutional culture that guarantees the digital rights of women and girls.

The Association affirmed that the Charter represents a strategic step towards enhancing the digital protection of women and girls, empowering them to participate freely and safely in the digital society, while ensuring respect for their rights and dignity, and providing a safe and sustainable digital environment.

The launch of the Charter reflects the National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms’ vision of building a safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital society based on justice, equality, and human rights. It also underscores its commitment to combating digital violence and establishing a culture of women’s protection in the digital space at the national and regional levels.