Many women in Yemen are subjected to online extortion and harassment, including the publication of their photographs or sensitive personal information without their consent, constituting a violation of their right to privacy. In most cases, women have been targeted by individuals they know, whether friends, classmates, or current or former partners. Perpetrators have sought to extort survivors for money, coerce them into relationships, or prevent them from disclosing the abuse they have experienced. Offenders threaten to publish or share photographs on Facebook, whether the women are wearing or not wearing the hijab or niqab, including images that reveal parts of their bodies, or fabricated photographs depicting them alongside unrelated men. Within the Yemeni context, such images are considered “shameful,” and their dissemination poses serious risks to the safety of these women. Many women reported being so fearful that they refrained from informing their families about the abuse, in order to avoid stigma, blame, or further physical and psychological abuse from relatives. The culture of shaming and blaming survivors in Yemen often discourages women from pursuing legal action against perpetrators. Yemen lacks a comprehensive legislative framework and policy measures to recognize, investigate, and address all forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Responses to complaints are often delayed, partly due to a lack of understanding of prevailing cultural norms, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as photographs of women without hijab. This leaves women vulnerable to psychological, social, and economic harm and limits their ability to seek legal protection for their rights.
Women may also face stigma, social exclusion, further violence, and offline abuse as a result of the publication of their photographs and personal information online without their consent. In an interview with Amnesty International, Kawkab Al-Dhibani, a gender issues expert and founder of the “She for Society” initiative, discussed the far-reaching consequences affecting every aspect of life, stating: “We know that if a single photograph of a survivor is leaked, her entire life may be destroyed.” Six women described to Amnesty International the psychological consequences they experienced as a result of the violence, including fear, anxiety, paranoia, depression, and isolation. In most cases, these feelings were linked to fears that their families or friends would learn about the abuse and the dissemination of their photographs online. Three women told Amnesty International that they had begun psychological treatment in order to cope with the psychological consequences resulting from online abuse. Two women reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, while another indicated that she had attempted suicide because of what she had endured through technology-facilitated abuse. Afraa, a survivor of cyber extortion, attempted suicide due to the severe pressure and threats directed at her by her extortionists. In December 2022, the Taiz Prosecution charged Afraa with “attempted self-killing,” but she was not informed of the charge until April 2023. Afraa told Amnesty International: “The extortion incident caused paralysis in every aspect of my life and work, which also drove me to think about suicide.” Five women also referred to the impact of the abuse on their professional lives, including three who reported losing their jobs and becoming unemployed. Women told Amnesty International that they did not report abusive posts or fake accounts directly to Facebook because they were unaware of how to report such cases. Some women reported either ceasing to use Facebook altogether or reducing their use after experiencing violence, fearing further abuse. This pattern of self-censorship has a devastating effect, restricting women’s ability to exercise their right to freedom of expression and participation in public life, including within the digital sphere, while further narrowing opportunities for women in Yemen to make their voices heard.
The foregoing demonstrates that the digital violence experienced by women in Yemen extends beyond individual incidents and has become a mechanism for controlling women within society. Fear of extortion or stigmatization compels women to restrict their online activity and limit their participation in public life, particularly women’s rights advocates and civil society workers. This threat-laden environment has generated a constant sense of vigilance, forcing women to modify their behavior and social relationships in order to avoid risks whenever possible, thereby weakening their ability to express their views and participate in social or professional discussions. Digital violence reflects the interaction between technology and Yemeni culture. The power does not stem from technology itself, but rather from the manner in which perpetrators exploit it based on social norms that restrict women and impose punishment upon them. This has created a cycle of psychological and social isolation, burdening women with anxiety and fear of scandal, which in some cases leads to complete withdrawal from digital life or even the cessation of work or education in certain communities.
In Yemen, it has become essential to take action to confront digital violence. It is not sufficient merely to impose technical regulations or monitor content on platforms. Rather, pressure must be exerted on the incapacitated state to implement legal measures, establish psychological support centers for victims, and, most importantly, develop social awareness programs aimed at changing prevailing beliefs regarding women and their rights to privacy and safety. Strengthening women’s capacities to protect their data and understand security tools, while providing a legal protection framework that deters perpetrators and offers necessary support to survivors, is equally important.
It has become necessary to develop legislation that recognizes all forms of gender-based violence, particularly within the digital sphere, accompanied by implementation mechanisms and training for official authorities to address such cases without delay and independently of their personal beliefs. Independent oversight units should also be established to monitor the implementation of these laws and continuously evaluate their effectiveness, while enhancing transparency and accountability in the handling of complaints and holding accountable those within police departments who neglect their responsibilities and classify certain cases as moral issues rather than social ones.
In conclusion, digital violence represents one of the most significant challenges facing women in Yemen today due to the complex interaction between technology and cultural, social, political, and religious factors. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive vision that goes beyond individual and technical approaches to encompass law, society, and culture, ensuring that the digital space becomes a means of empowerment and protection rather than a tool of intimidation and marginalization.