Defending voices: Strengthening digital security for women-led civil society organizations in Papua New Guinea
Date:
*Note: Names of several participants quoted in this story are withheld for security reasons.
"My organization’s social media profile picture and name were used to create a fake account that scammed people into donating funds. Since then, I have stopped advocating online because I fear it will harm my organization," shared a participant* at the Strengthening Women Civil Society Organizations' (CSOs) Digital Security workshop, held on 3-4 February 2025, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Another participant* highlighted a different but equally alarming experience: "I’ve received multiple social media messages from different users claiming they have nude photos of me. They threatened to release them unless I sent money via cryptocurrency. Even though these photos don’t exist, they can easily be fabricated using AI tools. That alone is enough to destroy my reputation and my organization’s credibility. Now, I don’t know whether to close my account or how to protect myself”.
These testimonies underscore a growing crisis in Asia and the Pacific whereby women-led CSOs and their leaders are being systematically targeted online, yet many lack the tools, knowledge, or support to defend themselves.
Without appropriate guidance and support, the consequences may be severe—the silencing of their advocacy.
In response to these urgent challenges, UN Women convened a two-day workshop in Port Moresby, bringing together 28 women CSO representatives for their first exposure to digital security training.
Peterson Magoola, UN Women Country Representative for Papua New Guinea, emphasized the urgent need for action.
“This initiative represents a critical step in equipping women’s organizations with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate online threats, protect their voices, and continue their vital work safely while leveraging the benefits of technology,” said Mr Peterson.
Maryanne Rimbao, CEO and Founder of Humanity and Nature Indigenous Women Association Inc., underscored: “As Melanesian women, we often face stigma and discrimination offline and online, based on cultural norms.
“Women-led organizations often store sensitive and confidential information about women at the community level, making digital security a fundamental necessity,” said Ms Rimbao.
“It’s essential that we not only learn how to protect our data but also understand the legal frameworks surrounding digital threats and advocate for stronger protections at the policy level.
Looking ahead, and with the knowledge we have gained as a group, I hope we can build a coalition and develop recommendations for regulators. This will allow us to contribute in a more meaningful way to policymaking, strengthen our engagement and frame this issue in the context of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.”
As part of the project “Women, Peace and Cybersecurity in Asia and the Pacific: Promoting Women’s Peace and Security in the Digital World”, supported by Australia’s Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation Program, UN Women will continue to support women-led CSOs by providing capacity-building initiatives and creating platforms for dialogue between civil society, government actors, and social media companies.
UN Women will also ensure that women from countries—such as Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Cambodia—have the opportunity to share their experiences, collaborate on solutions and advocate for stronger digital protections at the national and regional levels.
See also: