Nov. 25: A call to act on tech-enabled gender violence
On Dec. 17, 1999, the United Nations designated Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The date commemorates the assassination of three sisters in the Dominican Republic on Nov. 25, 1960.
The UN has placed a special focus on the growing threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which is used to perpetrate harassment, stalking and the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, among other abuses. This digital environment, which should be a safe space intended for connection, learning, sharing and progress, is becoming a new avenue for abuse that crosses the screen with real consequences and a profound impact.
The path toward eradicating violence demands commitment from all stakeholders. For organizations, and in line with the UN’s call, this translates into providing solutions to close the digital gender gap, not only in terms of access but also digital literacy.
Our organizational role is to ensure that technology is a tool for empowerment, providing access to information and support networks, and driving the creation of responsible digital environments, among other actions.
Some of the key recommended actions are:
- Including different training and awareness mechanisms for all personnel on gender equality, responsible technology use and different types of violence, including digital modality.
- Establishing accessible and confidential reporting channels that guarantee the victim’s protection against retaliation.
- Offering immediate support to affected individuals, such as legal, psychological accompaniment or workplace protection measures to mitigate the impact.
- Establishing clear rules on the use of company communication tools to prevent them from becoming spaces for harassment.
By taking these measures, employers not only fulfill their duty to protect their staff but also strengthen their corporate image, foster a healthy work environment and proactively contribute to reducing violence.
At C2S, as a company specializing in information technology and process management, we support organizations in implementing safe and responsible work environments.
From designing information systems that integrate digital reporting channels to managing projects focused on digital literacy and the ethical use of technology, our team combines human resources advisory services with artificial intelligence-based solutions to prevent harassment, strengthen organizational culture and promote gender equity in the digital environment.
Laura Rivera-Crespo is the human capital management manager and leader at C2S Consulting. She has led teams in the implementation of complex projects focused on continuous improvement, process optimization and integrated systems aimed at improving the user experience.
She holds a master’s degree in management and is a PMI-certified project manager, a WorldatWork certified compensation professional, an HRCI-certified human resources professional and a certified coach. She is also a certified human resources management consultant through the Puerto Rico Office of Human Resources Transformation Management (OATRH, in Spanish).
