A look at how digital transnational repression targets women human rights defenders.

By Lingua Sinica and Dalia Parete

A recent study by cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab found that exiled and diaspora women face gender-specific online harassment, abuse, and intimidation in addition to the digital threats faced by their male counterparts.

In an interview with the study’s authors, the discussion focused on the specific ways in which digital transnational repression targets women human rights defenders. This interview compiled by the research project, Lingua Sinica, is available at the publisher’s website here. Key points are summarized below.

Gender-Specific Tactics: States use gender to silence critics by shaming women through derogatory comments and threats related to their gender, bodies, and sexuality. “Such comments and threats are particularly amplified for women who come from communities with conservative values,” notes Lingua Sinica.

China’s Unique Approach: China’s transnational repression campaign stands out for its global scale and persistence. The Chinese government uses coordinated online harassment, defamation campaigns, video as well as audio calls from relatives’ homes to intimidate activists abroad. China also leverages its consulates and diaspora for threats and harassment.

Protection Measures: Women facing harassment are advised to enhance their digital security by keeping devices and apps updated, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and avoiding suspicious links. Seeking help from digital rights organizations, documenting attacks, and reporting them to platforms are also crucial steps. Building allyship networks and seeking emotional support can help targets cope with the attacks.

Go to the publisher’s website here for the full interview.

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No Escape: The weaponization of Gender for the Purposes of Digital Transnational Repression