Talking about violence is truly difficult. But even harder is living in a society where violence is systematically silenced and ignored.
Violence can take many forms — from control, humiliation, and emotional devaluation to physical or sexual harm. It often develops gradually and escalates over time if it remains unspoken.
According to UN Women, one in three women worldwide experiences violence during her lifetime. This statistic makes the issue not abstract, but deeply personal: people around us are experiencing violence, even if they are not speaking about it openly.
Silence does not protect. It isolates, deepens suffering, and makes violence invisible. That is why it is important to remember: no one should have to go through this alone.
When we raise the topic of violence, we create space where people can feel safe, supported, and confident that their experiences matter.
Every year from November 25 to December 10, the international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” takes place worldwide. This year’s global initiative focuses on digital violence under the theme:
“Unite to Stop Online Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Digital violence is one of the most widespread forms of gender-based violence today.
It includes:
abusive or aggressive messages;
cyberstalking;
online threats;
humiliation on social media;
sharing intimate materials without consent;
hate campaigns;
deepfake content (intimate materials created using artificial intelligence without a person’s consent).
The online space is no longer just virtual. What happens online has real-life consequences: anxiety and depression, social isolation, difficulties in education or employment, physical threats, and even cases of offline violence.
In the fight against violence, even small actions matter. Each of us can:
refuse to tolerate harmful behavior;
speak up when we witness injustice;
support those who have experienced violence;
avoid sharing harmful content;
participate in awareness campaigns.
Talking about digital violence is just as important as talking about any other form of violence. When we speak about violence, we show that support is close — both online and offline.