UN Women India has partnered with actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu for the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” focuses on raising awareness about the growing concern of online abuse and digital forms of gender-based violence.
Prabhu, known for her work in Tamil and Telugu cinema and the Indian web series The Family Man, has a social media following of over 37 million. In a video message released today, she draws attention to the various forms of online harm affecting women and girls, including harassment, stalking, doxxing, deepfakes, and digitally manipulated images.
Commenting on the occasion, Prabhu said, “As someone who’s been in the public eye, I understand how deeply digital violence affects lives, confidence, and safety, especially when it’s directed at women. Violence no longer happens only in physical spaces; it follows us onto screens, silences our voices, and destroys reputations. I am honoured to partner with UN Women India to demand platform accountability, strengthen legal protections, and remind everyone that behind every abusive comment or manipulated image is a real person whose dignity must be protected.”
A global human rights emergency
Violence against women and girls remains a widespread issue, affecting one in three women globally. Studies show that 38 per cent of women have personally experienced online violence, and 85 per cent have witnessed it. In the Asia-Pacific region, 76 per cent of women parliamentarians report facing psychological abuse online, while 60 per cent have received direct threats on social media.
In India, cybercrimes against women have seen a sharp rise in recent years, particularly cases involving online harassment and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau.
Currently, 44 per cent of the world’s women and girls lack legal protection against digital violence. As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, this year’s campaign reminds us that digital safety is central to gender equality.
UN Women’s call to action
Through this partnership, Prabhu will help promote the #NoExcuse message, reinforcing that online violence is a form of real-world harm. The campaign calls for stronger action from governments, including criminalising digital violence and improving accountability across the technology sector. It also urges tech companies to enhance platform safety, ensure transparency, and publish regular reports.
Individuals are encouraged to support survivors and challenge harmful online behaviour and norms. In India, recent amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Rules aim to address digital violence against women and girls by requiring greater accountability from social media platforms, timely removal of offensive content, and prompt action against perpetrators, while prioritising the privacy and dignity of survivors.
Kanta Singh, UN Women India Country Representative, a.i., said, “Ms Prabhu’s voice and reach will bring national attention to the urgent need to address digital violence. This is not a stand-alone issue. It reflects and reinforces broader patterns of discrimination and inequality. By joining the 16Days of Activism, she is helping shift the narrative from normalisation to action.”
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