DOI
10.22191/BUUJ/10/2/9
Faculty Sponsor
Alexandra Moore
Abstract
Technology’s rapid advancement is quickly cultivating an online world that is becoming increasingly dangerous for women that participate in public life. This paper explores the ways in which sexual violence is used in online spaces to harass and abuse women peacebuilders and inhibit their peacebuilding work. It first dives into exactly how digital sexual violence is conceptualized in modern scholarship and academic works, then examines the different shapes that digital sexual violence takes, how digital sexual violence impacts women peacebuilders personally and professionally, and how digital sexual violence, when used against women peacebuilders, impacts global democratic efforts. It concludes with a review of actions that have already been taken at both the national and international level to address digital sexual violence against women peacebuilders and a discussion of additional actions that governments, nongovernmental organizations, and technology companies can and should take to further protect women peacebuilders. This work aims to demonstrate that while technology is often seen as an essential peacebuilding tool due to its ability to help activists reach large audiences, it simultaneously presents a substantial obstacle to critical peacebuilding efforts. It is thus imperative that collaborative efforts take place to combat this form of violence.
Recommended Citation
Connors, A. T. (2025). Waging War on Peacebuilders: Digital Sexual Violence as a Barrier to Peace. Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.22191/BUUJ/10/2/9