| PYQ Relevance: Q) What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (UPSC CSE 2019) Q) Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (UPSC CSE 2018) Q) Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India? (UPSC CSE 2015) |
Mentor’s Comment: Nearly 23% of women surveyed in eight countries reported experiencing online abuse or harassment multiple times, with the U.S. having the highest rate.
Women in power, such as U.S. politician Nikki Haley and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have encountered gender bias in technology and safety. Haley faced manipulated explicit images during her Republican primary campaign, while Meloni was targeted with deepfake content.
In Bangladesh, female politicians Rumin Farhana and Nipun Roy were victims of deepfake images circulating on social media ahead of the January 7, 2024, general election, which attracted millions of views. This situation raises critical questions about what actions content moderators are taking to address these issues?
Today’s editorial addresses the persistent issues of online harassment and abuse that disproportionately affect women. It criticizes the failure of major technology companies to create safe digital environments.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Online abuse directed at women, including harassment, threats, and misogynistic comments has gained significant attention as more women share their experiences of unsafe digital environments, highlighting the urgent need for action.
- Kamla Harris faced extensive online trolling, particularly from right-wing commentators.
- These personal attacks targeted her background, character, and integrity, including a manipulated video shared by Elon Musk that falsely portrayed her making disparaging remarks about Joe Biden and herself.
How does online abuse uniquely affect women compared to men?
- Widespread Online Harassment: Women in power, such as U.S. politician Nikki Haley and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, have also encountered similar challenges. In Bangladesh, female politicians Rumin Farhana and Nipun Roy were victims of deepfake images ahead of general election, which attracted millions of views.
- Impact of Big Tech’s Inaction: The failure of major tech companies to effectively manage degrading content places an undue burden on women.
- The nature of online abuse varies significantly; while men often face misinformation regarding their roles, women are subjected to objectification, sexualized content, and body shaming.
- Accountability Issues: Big Tech often evades accountability by claiming that their platforms merely reflect user behavior and cannot be closely monitored.
- In short, they benefit from ‘safe harbor‘ protections that shield them from responsibility.
- Psychological Impact: Research shows that nearly half of women report severe psychological consequences from online abuse, such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
- Many women alter their online behavior due to fear of harassment, leading to self-censorship (silencing effect).
| CASE STUDY: • Siri and Gender Bias: Siri’s responses to sexual harassment reflected gender biases inherent in its programming. Apple acknowledged the issue and began working on updates to improve Siri’s responses and reduce gender stereotyping in its interactions. • UNESCO Initiatives: UNESCO has been actively working on projects aimed at reducing gender bias in AI technologies. They promote diversity in AI development teams and encourage the implementation of gender-sensitive approaches in algorithm design. |
What measures can be taken to mitigate gender bias in technology and improve safety?
- Policy and Governance: Establish clear guidelines that address gender bias in technology development and online platforms. Promote diversity in tech leadership roles to ensure varied perspectives are included in decision-making processes.
- Technology Design: Develop AI tools that can identify and flag abusive content directed at women, allowing for quicker intervention. Secondly, we need to involve women in the design and testing phases of technology to better understand their needs and experiences.
- Education and Training: Implement training programs for developers and tech professionals on gender sensitivity and the impacts of bias. Need to enhance digital literacy among women to empower them to navigate technology safely and effectively.
- Online Safety Measures: Improve reporting systems for online harassment, making them more accessible and responsive to women’s experiences. Encourage platforms to provide robust privacy settings that allow users to control their data and interactions more effectively.
