Institute for Humanitarian Conflict Resolution

2 days ago

Botswana is confronting a troubling reality: women and girls facing gender-based violence are increasingly being subjected to a second form of abuse online. In this article, Malebogo Max Molefhe, International Woman of Courage and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activist, explores how social media attacks, victim-blaming, humiliation, and public character assassination can intimidate survivors and discourage others from reporting abuse. With 67 percent of women and girls reportedly affected by GBV at some point in their lives, the consequences of this growing online hostility are particularly serious. Molefhe argues that freedom of expression must not become a license to endanger or retraumatize survivors. She calls on journalists, influencers, lawmakers, and young people to use their platforms responsibly and urges Botswana to treat GBV as a national crisis, strengthen protections for survivors, invest in prevention, and turn constitutional and international commitments into meaningful justice and dignity for women and girls. ihcr.institute/writing/the-rising-fear-of-reporting-violence-online-prejudice-sexism-and-the-grow... ... See MoreSee Less

Institute for Humanitarian Conflict Resolution

5 days ago

Five Years Under Taliban Rule: Afghanistan’s Human Rights Crisis Deepens
August 15 marks five years since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. According to Human Rights Watch, those years have brought devastating consequences, particularly for women and girls. Women and girls have been barred from secondary and higher education and severely restricted from working, traveling freely, and participating in public life. Journalists, activists, and perceived critics face arbitrary detention, intimidation, and torture. The humanitarian crisis is equally alarming: more than 3.7 million children face acute malnutrition, while millions of Afghans need food and medical assistance. As this grim anniversary approaches, the international community must not allow Afghanistan—and especially its women and girls—to disappear from the world’s attention. ... See MoreSee Less