UN Warns of Rising Online Violence Against Refugee Women
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised concerns over the growing exposure of refugee women to digital attacks. The global agency warned that the online space is increasingly becoming a platform for promoting hate speech, misogyny, and xenophobia.
In a statement, the UNHCR explained that the spread of misinformation has led to more frequent instances of online violence targeting refugee women. The lack of access to technical and legal support compounds the vulnerability of these women and further complicates the situation.
The UNHCR has called on the international community to combat digital hate speech and to prioritize the protection of refugee women’s rights. This appeal comes amid ongoing reports that Afghan refugee women are also facing discrimination, threats, and online harassment.
The Taliban’s restrictions on freedom of expression and the pressure it exerts on journalists and women within Afghanistan have contributed to a climate of fear and diminished status for Afghan women beyond the country’s borders. In this context, the rise in digital violence against refugee women serves as a new warning sign of the expanding scope of the global human rights crisis.
