Social media network giant Facebook is boosting tools and controls that improve women safety online, launching a new Women’s Safety Hub.
The hub’s launch took place against the backdrop of the UN Women Generation Equality Forum in Paris this week.
A report by The Economist highlights that 38% of women globally have directly experienced abuse online, and the figure rises to 45% for generation Z and millennials. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation, as women spend more time online, increasing their exposure to threats.
Facebook says it recognises that some online and offline behaviours can disproportionately impact women. As a result, the Women’s Safety Hub forms part of a comprehensive approach to making the platform a safer place for women around the world, to help prevent abuse, exploitation and harassment.
According to Facebook, the hub centralises existing resources across its platforms for women to utilise, including specific resources for women leaders, journalists and survivors of abuse.
The hub was developed in consultation with Facebook non-profit partners from around the world and will soon to be available in 55 languages. It contains video-on-demand safety training and a place to register for live safety training sessions that will be hosted in multiple languages.
Says Facebook: “We have designed our platform to give people power and control over their own experiences, and we’re always working on new tools and re-evaluating our policies – we know how important it is to get this right.”
In addition to the hub, Facebook has announced the formation of its global “Women’s Safety Advisory Group”.
Made up of 12 non-profit leaders, activists and academic experts, Facebook is looking to the advisory group to develop and inform its policies, products, technology and reporting mechanisms.
“Many members of this group come from the large network of over 200 safety organisations we’ve worked with over the years, covering topics including women’s rights, domestic violence, women’s political leadership and non-consensually shared intimate images. Over time, we’ll include new experts in this group from additional countries and issue areas so we continue to hear from diverse voices.”
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