10 years ago, we started the Web Foundation together to fight for a web that is safe and empowering for everyone.

There has been incredible progress towards this goal, with billions more people able to use the web to achieve their ambitions, build communities and campaign for a better world.

But, today, as the web turns 31, it’s becoming clear we will not achieve our mission without tackling the growing crisis of online abuse and discrimination against women and girls.

The web is not working for women. Nearly two billion don’t have access to the web at all, and are deprived of opportunities to learn, earn and make their voices heard. And for many who are online, the web simply isn’t safe. A new Web Foundation survey reveals that more than half of young women and girls have experienced online abuse and harassment.

The impact can be devastating: destroying young girls’ confidence, forcing women out of jobs and depriving society of their opinions and leadership. It is a crisis that threatens global progress on gender equality.

2020 is a year of opportunity to change that, as decision-makers from around the world meet to debate plans to achieve gender equality by 2030.

Today, Tim has published an open letter adding his voice to the thousands calling for action to tackle online abuse and discrimination against women and girls. 

You can help by adding your voice and calling for 2020 to be the year we make the web work for women — and for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support in fighting for a safe and empowering web for all.

Rosemary and Tim

Rosemary Berners-Lee
Sir Tim Berners-Lee
Co-founders of the World Wide Web Foundation