The Lambton Kent District School Board is joining the global UNiTE campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual movement that runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls,” focuses on the growing use of technology to stalk, harass and abuse women and girls. The board says these acts extend far beyond screens and often result in real-world harm, including coercion and physical abuse. The campaign also notes that digital violence can escalate to femicide.
The LKDSB outlines digital abuse as behaviour such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyberbullying, online threats, harassment, AI-generated deepfakes, hate speech, doxxing, online stalking, grooming, catfishing and activity in misogynistic online networks. Women with public visibility, including activists, journalists and politicians, are described as frequent targets, with the impact intensified for those who experience intersecting forms of discrimination.
The board says digital violence is a human rights issue that silences voices and perpetuates inequality. The UNiTE campaign urges governments to enforce laws that penalize digital violence, calls on technology companies to ensure platform safety, encourages donors to fund feminist organizations and asks individuals to support survivors and promote safer online spaces.
“At LKDSB, we believe education is key to creating a safer, more inclusive world,” the board said in its announcement. “During these 16 days, we encourage students, staff, and families to learn, reflect, and take action to end violence against women and girls—both online and offline.”
More information is available through the United Nations at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day
