The Urgent Need For The Global Digital Compact

Dear John,

The sixty-seventh session of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York is well underway. Last week, we convened and met with member states, UN entities, and non-governmental organizations from around the world to discuss the future of a digital world where women and girls are empowered and protected under international human rights law.

The initial conversations were powerful, and some commitments were made, but one thing was true for everyone: the love for technology’s potential is deep but there must also be a global response to the harm it can do.
Read our round up of #CSW67 so far ([link removed])
“We have a short window that is open in front of us to regulate and govern the digital world, and we say this not because we fear technology but because we love technology. We love it so much that we want technology to work for everyone,” explained Ivana Bartoletti, an award-winning privacy expert and co-founder of Women Leading in AI during the Securing our Human Rights in our Digital World ([link removed]) consultation co-sponsored by Equality Now on Monday.

The UN plans to launch the Global Digital Compact (GDC) in September 2024. It is important for the Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi) ([link removed]) , the growing coalition convened by Equality Now and Women Leading in AI, to ensure women’s security and rights in the digital space, as outlined in our Universal Digital Rights principles ([link removed]) , are a primary focus.

In the first week of CSW 67, governments, including Finland, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, Chile, and others, offered their support for a global compact; and concrete examples of their commitment to end harmful online practices.

“Sexual gender-based violence online knows no borders,” Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality of Finland, began during the 17th International Helvi Sipilä Seminar. “International cooperation and action are urgent. Lasting change can only be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration,” he added.

“To move forward in eradicating gender-based violence in all its forms, we need adequate effort and attention to the issue. It requires a lot of work, energy, and commitment. From Chile, we have the commitment and will do all that is required to make digital spaces safer for girls and women,” said Antonia Orellana, Minister of Women and Gender Equity for Chile, during the Catalysing Collective Action to End Technology-facilitated Gender-Based Violence high level session ([link removed]) .

Want to read more about #CSW67 from Equality Now?
* CSW 67 Week One: The Urgent Need For The Global Digital Compact ([link removed])
* Where you'll find Equality Now at CSW 67 ([link removed])
* Our Global Executive Director, ([link removed]) S. Mona Sinha's Helvi Sipilä Keynote Address on Women’s Human Rights And Technological Innovations ([link removed])
* Our Global Lead on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Tsitsi Matekaire's closing remarks from Technological challenges and solutions in combatting trafficking of women and girls in overlapping emergencies ([link removed])

This week we look forward to continuing to engage with member states, UN entities, and non-governmental organizations from around the world who are as excited as we are to make that future of a digital world where women and girls are empowered and protected under international human rights law a reality.

In solidarity,

Niki Kandirikirira,
Global Director of Programmes, Equality Now

PS: There's still time to join us at CSW. Explore the events that Equality Now will be involved in at CSW here ([link removed]) , both in person and virtual, and for a list of all open parallel events ([link removed]) , visit ngocsw.org.

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