COLOMBO : – UNFPA Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Nov. 26,., launched the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender-Based Violence joint campaign 2025, with the national event held at the BMICH, bringing
together government leaders, youth representatives, civil society, law enforcement, technology
stakeholders, development partners, and the United Nations to address the alarming rise of
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) across the country.
Held under the theme #OurDigitalSpace: End Online Violence for a GBV-Free Sri Lanka, the event
emphasized the urgent need for collective action to create safe, inclusive, and empowering digital
environments for women, girls, and young people.
The event was jointly convened by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MOWCA), the Forum
Against Gender-Based Violence (FAGBV), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri
Lanka, with support from the Government of Canada through the UNDP-UNFPA Joint Project.
In a special message delivered ahead of the event, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Honourable Prime
Minister highlighted the dual nature of technology as both a tool for empowerment and a space
where violence increasingly manifests.
“Technology has the power to connect, uplift, and transform our nation; but it can also be used to
harm or silence others. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) destroys
confidence, dignity and lives. Together, as a nation, we must build a Sri Lanka where technology
empowers every woman, every girl, every young person, and every citizen, from all walks of life, to
live free from fear, online and offline.”
The Prime Minister underscored the need for national unity, strengthened protection systems, and a
culture of responsibility online, urging families, schools, platforms, and communities to take an
active role in preventing digital harm and supporting survivors.
Addressing the gathering, Saroja Paulraj, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs emphasized
the growing prevalence of TFGBV at home, in relationships, and among youth, noting that digital
abuse often intersects with other forms of violence.
“In this digital age, technology is part and parcel of our everyday lives. As such, TFGBV is able to
enter and access even the ‘most private spaces’ in our homes and our lives. Despite closed doors,
our electronic devices which we use to communicate with others and are a necessity in our lives,
has become a pathway or the open door that allows TFGBV to enter our lives. We live in a world
where women and girls face GBV disproportionately to that of men. The UNFPA-UN Women
research in Sri Lanka notes that 56% of women felt unsafe online.”
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening legislation, enhancing
reporting mechanisms, and expanding support systems for survivors of TFGBV .
In his opening remarks, Phuntsho Wangyel, Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Sri Lanka, called for
collaborative action across sectors to prevent online abuse and ensure that digital technologies
contribute to equality and empowerment rather than harm.
“Across the world, women and girls are far less likely to speak about their online experiences due
to gaps in legal protection, fears around stigma, and limited awareness on where and how to seek
help. As such, there’s an urgent need to address harmful gender norms and systematic barriers
that allow digital violence to persist. Changing this narrative requires a whole-of-society approach
with strong laws, accountable tech platforms, digital literacy in schools and homes, ethical
reporting by the media, and meaningful engagement of men and boys. If we don’t act now, we risk
normalizing violence and diminishing the voices of future women leaders and changemakers.”
He highlighted the importance of a survivor-centered approach, investments in digital safety, and the
responsibility of tech companies, policymakers, and communities in fostering safer online
ecosystems.
New Research Highlights Alarming Trends in Digital Violence
A 2025 research study by UNFPA and UN Women on Technology-Facilitated Violence
experienced by Women, Girls, LGBTQIA+ persons, and Ethnic Minorities in Sri Lanka revealed that:
36.9% were affected by the creation of fake profiles
20.4% were affected by cyber blackmail/sextortion
25.2% faced doctored videos or deepfakes
36.9% were affected by sharing of obscene texts or videos
23.3% experienced image-based abuse
24.3% faced unauthorized exposure of personal information (doxxing)
24.3% were subjected to gender trolling
These findings underscore the urgent need for digital safety policies, survivor support systems, and
widespread education on respectful, responsible online behaviour.
Sri Lanka’s Digital Context
As Sri Lanka’s online presence expands, risks rise:
29.3 million active mobile connections in 2025 (127% of population)
12.4 million internet users (53.6% penetration)
8.2 million social media user identities (35.4% of population)
While digital spaces create opportunities for learning and expression, they have also become hotspots
for harassment, exploitation, and violence, particularly affecting women and girls.
The National Launch event, commemorating both the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days campaign, held annually from 25 November to
10 December, unites everyone to end GBV in all its forms. The 2025 UNiTE global theme, ‘Ending
Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’ calls for:
Stronger national laws and enforcement
Safety and accountability from technology platforms
Investment in organizations working on digital rights and GBV
Individual action to challenge harmful online norms
Sri Lanka’s national campaign emphasizes that online violence is real violence, and safe digital
spaces are essential for gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive national development.
