6th نوفمبر 2026

The architecture of harm: Mapping the digital pathways to violence against women and girls

Digital platforms are increasingly enabling the spread of misogyny, male supremacist ideologies and various forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This report examines how algorithms, platform design and commercial incentives amplify harmful content, facilitate radicalisation and contribute to violence against women and girls, both online and offline. Drawing on global research and expert insights, it explores the connections between misogyny, extremism and threats to democratic participation, and identifies gaps in existing responses. It calls for stronger government accountability, safety-by-design regulation and prevention measures that address the structural drivers of harm.

What’s inside the report?

  • The digital architecture of male supremacism, including the role of algorithms, online communities, monetisation and generative AI in amplifying misogynistic narratives.
  • The connections between misogyny, extremism and gender-based violence, including impacts on women’s rights, safety and democratic participation.
  • Existing responses and regulatory gaps, including approaches to platform accountability, prevention and addressing online radicalisation.

Who’s it for?

  • Governments, policymakers and regulators working on digital governance, online safety, gender equality and human rights
  • Technology companies and digital platforms
  • Civil society organisations, researchers and advocates working on gender-based violence, extremism and digital rights

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Key takeaways and recommendations

The report calls on governments to move beyond responding to individual incidents of online abuse and address the systems that enable male supremacist ideologies and gender-based violence to spread. It outlines four priorities for strengthening accountability, protection and prevention.

  • Address the full spectrum of harms linked to male supremacism: Governments should recognise male supremacism as part of the wider continuum of violence against women and girls, rather than treating it as an isolated form of extremism. Legal and accountability mechanisms should reflect its disproportionate impact on women and girls, particularly those with intersecting identities, and require platforms to report transparently on these harms.
  • Mandate safety by design and strengthen platform accountability: Regulation should address the algorithms, commercial incentives and platform design choices that enable misogynistic content to spread, rather than relying solely on reactive content moderation. This includes algorithmic transparency, measures to prevent the monetisation of harmful content and adequately resourced regulatory authorities, while upholding international human rights standards.
  • Strengthen coordination across legal and institutional responses: Governments should ensure that laws and mechanisms addressing male supremacism, counter-extremism and violence against women work together. Shared definitions, referral criteria and rights-respecting information-sharing arrangements can help institutions identify connected harms and respond more effectively.
  • Invest in education and prevention: Prevention efforts should address the attitudes and narratives that fuel male supremacism, including entitlement, grievance-based recruitment and hostility towards gender equality. Governments should support educational programmes and equip teachers, youth workers and community leaders to recognise these narratives and engage constructively with young people.

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