European Parliament Tackles Online Abuse And Deepfake Threats Against Women

The European Parliament in Brussels recently hosted a conference for International Women’s Day, focused on addressing the growing threats women face in the digital space.

The event highlighted the harassment and abuse that many female politicians and journalists encounter online, often forcing them to withdraw entirely from public work.

Speakers shared alarming statistics on the role of artificial intelligence and deepfakes in perpetuating online abuse. It was revealed that 98% of deepfake content is pornographic, with 99% of such material depicting girls and women.

Studies further show that 43% of Europeans believe women bear some responsibility when their nude images are leaked without consent, while 21% think women should simply tolerate misogynistic online comments.

President Roberta Metsola opened the conference with a video address, praising the resilience and courage of women in Iran in the face of the current conflicts.

Additionally, President Metsola highlighted the benefit of centring women within activism and political work.

“When women step back,” she emphasised, “all of Europe loses out."

The meeting, titled “Women’s Rights and Democracy: Combating Stereotypes, Disinformation, and Violence in the Digital Age,” set the stage for the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy.

Announced by the European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib, the strategy will prioritise combating online harassment and regulating the use of deepfakes, signalling a significant step toward protecting women in digital spaces.

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