Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş calls digital violence a borderless threat at UN

Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, drew attention to technology-facilitated violence against women and girls at a meeting held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Göktaş called for stronger international cooperation against emerging threats ranging from AI-generated fake images to online harassment.

Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, attended the event titled “Combating Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls,” held at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of the 81st UN General Assembly.

Speaking at the G77 and Emerging Partners Ministerial Roundtable, co-hosted by UN Women and Croatia, Göktaş described the policies and practices implemented in Türkiye to ensure that women and girls can participate safely in the digital world.

Göktaş said digital technologies have expanded women’s access to employment, education, the knowledge economy and decision-making processes, but noted that the same technologies can also enable the emergence of new forms of violence against women and girls.

Göktaş drew attention to the fact that online threats, harassment, stalking, the exploitation of intimate images and the misuse of personal information have become serious global problems. She said AI-generated fake images can also be used to threaten or humiliate women and girls.

“Digital violence knows no borders”

Göktaş emphasized that technology-facilitated violence is a problem that transcends national borders and said international standards must be strengthened, good practices shared, and stronger cooperation established among governments, international organizations, technology companies and other stakeholders.

Göktaş said Türkiye acts with a “zero tolerance” approach toward violence against women and stated that efforts would continue resolutely to ensure that women and girls can participate safely in digital environments as well.

The meeting also addressed the impact of technology-facilitated violence on women’s leadership, gender equality and inclusive digital transformation, with a focus on developing coordinated, rights-based solutions at the international level.

Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş calls digital violence a borderless threat at UN