Date and time: 3 June 2026, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. CET
Venue: Vienna International Centre (VIC) – Room M7
Organizers: Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna and United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
As digital technologies increasingly shape public discourse, security dynamics, and participation in civic life, online spaces have also become environments where gender-based violence manifests in new and evolving forms. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has emerged as a growing challenge affecting women across peace and security contexts, including women leaders, journalists, peacebuilders, human rights defenders, and women working in security institutions.
To contribute to this discussion, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), together with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna, will organize the side-event “Emerging Evidence on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Conflict Settings: Advancing the Digital Dimension of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda” on the margins of the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
The event will present findings from UNICRI’s report “The Digital Frontline: Emerging Evidence on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Fragile and Conflict Settings”. The research examines how digital abuse affects women working across peace and security sectors and highlights how online violence not only harms individuals, but also undermines women’s participation, leadership, and visibility in peace and security processes.
Drawing on a global desk review and expert consultations, the report explores how fragile and conflict-affected settings create conditions in which digital tools are increasingly used strategically to intimidate, monitor, discredit, and silence women. Findings show that online violence often translates into offline harm, including threats, surveillance, reputational attacks, and physical risks.
The research also identifies emerging patterns affecting women in armed and security roles, women journalists, politicians, public figures, and civil society actors. These include coordinated harassment campaigns, gendered disinformation, doxxing, surveillance, and image-based abuse, including AI-generated manipulated content used to damage reputations and restrict participation in public life.
By bringing together Member States, United Nations entities, international organizations, experts, and civil society representatives, the side-event aims to foster dialogue on emerging trends, share good practices, and identify policy and operational responses to TFGBV in fragile and conflict settings.
The discussion will also contribute to advancing evidence-based approaches and strengthening the integration of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda within the digital sphere, recognizing that TFGBV should be understood not only as a gender issue, but also as a broader peace and security concern.
Opening remarks will be delivered by:
H. E. Ambassador Debora Lepre, Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna
Leif Villadsen, Acting Director, UNICRI
An overview of the findings of UNICRI’s report will be presented by:
Margherita Sofia Zambelli, Gender Expert, UNICRI
The expert panel discussion will be moderated by:
Manuela Brunero, Programme Officer, UNICRI
Panelists include:
Elmaja Bavcic, Gender Advisor, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Nadia Al-Sakkaf, Independent Researcher
Francesca Bosco, Independent Senior Expert
The side-event will also provide an opportunity to present the report’s key recommendations aimed at strengthening policy, institutional, and operational responses to technology-facilitated gender-based violence in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
As digital technologies continue to reshape conflict dynamics and public participation, addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence remains essential to protecting women’s rights, strengthening inclusive peace processes, and advancing sustainable peace, security, and governance.
The Side event will be held in person. To register: Emerging Evidence on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Conflict Settings: Advancing the Digital Dimension of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
Download the AGENDA
