Online violence against women and girls is rising rapidly across Southeast Asia, with harms such as cyber-harassment, stalking, gendered disinformation, and non-consensual image sharing becoming part of women’s daily digital reality. Studies show that between 16–58% of women have experienced online abuse and 85% have witnessed it. These violations mirror offline patterns of gender inequality and underscore the urgent need for stronger digital safety, legal protections, and coordinated regional action.
On 3 December 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, ASEAN will launch the ASEAN Campaign Against Online Gender-Based Violence: “A Collective Call to Action – No Means No. Online Too.” Led by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Lao PDR and Thailand, in collaboration with ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and the ASEAN Secretariat, and organised in partnership with UNFPA Asia-Pacific, the launch will bring together government representatives, youth groups, civil society, academia, the private sector, and digital safety advocates from across the region.
The campaign is the product of multi-year regional consultations and youth testing. It aims to equip women, girls, and bystanders—including men and boys—with the tools to recognise, report, and seek help for online violence, while promoting respectful digital behaviour and strengthening accountability. The launch will also feature Thailand’s national adaptation of the campaign, demonstrating how member states can localise the regional materials.This ASEAN-wide effort reflects a shared commitment to building safer, more inclusive digital spaces where consent, safety, and dignity apply everywhere—online and offline.
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PRESS RELEASE
“No Means No. Online Too”: ASEAN Launches Regional Campaign to End Online Gender-Based Violence, in Partnership with UNFPA
BANGKOK, 3 December 2025 – As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in everyday life, online violence against women and girls is one of the fastest-growing forms of Gender-based violence (GBV) across Southeast Asia. To address this urgent and escalating challenge, the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), under the leadership of Lao PDR and Thailand, and ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) -Thailand, in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, today launched the ASEAN Campaign Against Online Gender-Based Violence: “A Collective Call to Action – No Means No. Online Too.”
In observance of the 16 Days of Activism this year, the launch event, organised in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO), brought together over 150 high-level government representatives, regional sectoral bodies, youth organisations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and digital safety advocates to build awareness about this emerging form of violence and mobilise a stronger, coordinated response.
Online GBV—including cyber-harassment, online stalking, gendered disinformation, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and digital coercion— is increasingly affecting women, girls and other persons in vulnerable situations in ASEAN. Studies show that between 16 per cent-58 per cent of women have experienced online GBV, while approximately 85 per cent have witnessed such abuse. These violations often cause long-term psychological, social, and economic harm, and mirror the broader continuum of offline violence.
A milestone in ASEAN’s regional response
The campaign realises ASEAN’s commitments under the Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (ASEAN RPA on EVAW) resulting from a multi-year ASEAN effort grounded in evidence and regional consultation. In October 2024, ACWC and ACW convened a regional consultation in Bangkok, supported by UNFPA APRO, to discuss rising levels of online GBV and co-design a comprehensive communication strategy.
“Online violence erodes the safety, dignity, and participation of women and girls in digital spaces. It is part of the same continuum as offline violence, and it reflects the same power imbalances and harmful social norms that we work to address every day.” — Soukphaphone Phanit, Representative of Lao PDR to ACWC for Women’s Rights, and campaign co-champion
Thailand’s national launch: leading by example
Today’s event also marks the national implementation of the campaign in Thailand, demonstrating how ASEAN Member States (AMS) can tailor the regional communication framework to national strategies and local contexts. The launch featured a panel discussion highlighting promising practices and actions to enhance online protection systems and promote safe digital spaces.
“Thailand is proud to stand with ASEAN in taking this message forward. Localising the campaign is essential to ensuring that our communities, families, and young people can speak up and take action against online harm.” — Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Representative of Thailand to ACWC for Women’s Rights, and campaign co-champion
Advancing a safer digital future for women and girls
The “No Means No. Online Too.” campaign provides a suite of communication materials in English and national languages—including videos, awareness cards, and shareable visual content—to support ASEAN Member States in raising awareness, promoting digital safety, and empowering survivors to seek assistance. The campaign emphasises responsible digital behaviour, survivor-centred referral pathways, and multisectoral collaboration.
The campaign reflects ASEAN’s commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering digital environments for all women and girls, while UNFPA continues to support evidence-based policy dialogue, regional cooperation, and strengthened survivor-focused approaches to address both online and offline forms of violence.