Our Safety: Cambodia unites to address online gender-based violence
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia — On International Human Rights Day 2025, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Cambodia and the United Nations, with support from Australia and the Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services Phase 2 programme (ACCESS 2), convened Our Safety, a landmark national dialogue focused on ending Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Held as the culminating event of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the dialogue marked a turning point in Cambodia’s digital evolution. It brought together government representatives, technology companies, civil society, and young people to confront a growing challenge: while digital technologies create new opportunities, they are also increasingly being used to harm women and girls.
“Globally, technology-facilitated violence has become part of daily life,” said Christine Arab, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “But the pace of harm is far outstripping the pace of laws, data, and coordinated responses.”
Globally, between 16 and 58 per cent of women and girls have experienced online violence. As digital platforms increasingly mediate everyday life, the gap between online harm and accountability continues to widen.
The first panel explored emerging trends and risks shaping the digital landscape. Sandra Bernklau, Country Representative for UNFPA in Cambodia, described TFGBV as persistent, borderless, and constantly evolving, with more than 40 recognized forms.
“Online abuse is often anonymous and amplified,” she said. “It frequently spills into offline violence and severe mental health impacts.”
UNICEF Child Protection Officer Kalyan Eng shared findings from the Disrupting Harm study, which revealed that one in ten Cambodian children aged 12 to 17 has experienced online harm, including grooming, extortion and image-based abuse. Many incidents remain unreported due to stigma, limited awareness, or inadequate reporting pathways.
“Digital literacy, legal reform, and stronger reporting mechanisms are essential,” Eng stressed.
A defining feature of the dialogue was the leadership of young people. Youth advocates Neang Ratanak and Seat Thida presented recommendations developed through a youth dialogue held earlier that week, ensuring that lived experience and youth perspectives were central to the conversation.
“Online harm happens digitally, but its impacts are deeply offline,” said Ratanak. He called for inclusive legal protections so that all survivors, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can access support without fear or discrimination.
The dialogue also examined legal, regulatory, and corporate responses across Cambodia’s digital ecosystem. Representatives from the Cambodian National Police and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications acknowledged the need to strengthen enforcement, improve reporting systems, and close gaps in protection.
Chan Pheakdey, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications reiterated that preventing online harm is a “whole-of-ecosystem" challenge that requires participation from every level of society.
Private sector leaders from Meta, Smart Axiata, and digital education institutions and specialists joined the discussion to reflect on corporate accountability, platform design, digital literacy, and the emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence.
“AI is accelerating innovation, but it is also amplifying harm, bias, and online gender-based violence,” warned Adrianne Ravez, Digital Innovation and Governance Specialist. “Yet most businesses have no clear policy frameworks to address these risks.”
Sivhuang Lay, Managing Director of Dichi Academy, underscored the urgency of digital education. “We must go beyond teaching people how to use platforms,” he said. “People need to understand how platforms function.”
As the dialogue concluded, one message resonated across sectors: without stronger, more up-to-date data and more coordinated action, responses to TFGBV will continue to lag behind rapidly evolving digital harms.
“By strengthening laws, improving responsibility, and working together, we can make digital spaces safer,” Arab concluded. “Across the world, everyone is learning, but we must move fast.”