DVAW in Conflict Zones in the Middle East and North Africa

This synthesis paper explores the alarming rise of digital violence against women (DVAW) in six conflict-affected MENA countries: Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, and Palestine. Drawing on Foundation-supported studies, it reveals how online abuse is weaponized to silence women, especially those active in public life.

In patriarchal societies fractured by war, extremism, and political instability, digital spaces have become new battlegrounds. Women are harassed, threatened, and driven out of public discourse. Widows in refugee camps, activists in exile, journalists, athletes, and influencers all face compounded risks. The paper shows how various actors exploit digital tools to shame, control, and punish women—and how social media platforms fail to respond.

The author calls for urgent, multi-sectoral action: stronger legal frameworks, widespread digital literacy, psychosocial support, and greater accountability from tech companies. Combatting DVAW is not only a matter of women’s safety. It is a fundamental human rights imperative in regions struggling toward peace and justice.