• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Thursday, May 15, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

Tim Berners-Lee warns ‘web not working for women and girls’ on 31st anniversary

The Canary by The Canary
12 March 2020
in Global, News, UK
Reading Time: 4 mins read
163 9
A A
0
Home Global
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee has warned that “the web is not working for women and girls”, in an open letter to mark the 31st anniversary of its creation.

Berners-Lee said a continued lack of web access is fuelling discrimination against females, threatening global progress on equality.

It comes as new research from Berners-Lee’s Web Foundation – which advocates for a free and open web for everyone – and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts indicates that more than half of young women and girls have experienced online abuse, including threatening messages, sexual harassment and the sharing of private images without their consent.

Berners-Lee said flawed artificial intelligence systems that replicate and expand existing bias and an entrenched digital gender divide – which means far fewer women globally are able to access the web compared with men – are also key factors in the continuing inequality.

“The world has made important progress on gender equality thanks to the unceasing drive of committed champions everywhere. But I am seriously concerned that online harms facing women and girls – especially those of colour, from LGBTQ+ communities and other marginalised groups – threaten that progress,” the letter said.

“Women’s rights are human rights and are fundamental to a healthy society, from reducing poverty and disease to improving education and economic growth.”

According to the research, 52% of young women and girls have experienced online abuse, and 87% of girls think the problem is getting worse.

In terms of access to the web, the research also highlighted inequality, with men 21% more likely to be online than women, a figure that rises to 52% in the world’s least developed countries.

“Such abuse forces women out of jobs and causes girls to skip school, it damages relationships and leads to tremendous distress,” Berners-Lee said.

“Relentless harassment silences women and deprives the world of their opinions and ideas, with female journalists and politicians pushed off social media and bullied out of office.

“And it risks the tremendous opportunities that digital technology offers.

“A young woman from a technology skills centre I visited in Nigeria runs a catering business on social media. The same platform that allows her to reach customers also exposes her to daily bombardment of sexual harassment from strangers.”

Berners-Lee urged governments to prioritise the problem in 2020, and embed “gender equality by design” into products, policies and services, based on data and feedback from women of all backgrounds.

He also called for new laws to better regulate abuse online, and encouraged web users to be “active bystanders” and speak up when they see abuse of women and girls online.

Emily Sharpe, director of policy at the Web Foundation, said: “The crisis facing women and girls online is one of global proportions. We need a world where women can go online without being harassed, where they can run for office without fear of misogynist abuse, and where women can apply for jobs knowing algorithms will judge them on their skills rather than their gender.

“2020 is a year of opportunity to radically accelerate women’s empowerment, as decision-makers from around the world debate plans to achieve gender equality by 2030. Committed action to tackle online threats to women and girls must be at the heart of those discussions.”

In response to Berners-Lee’s letter and the research, Javed Khan, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, said: “The founder of the modern internet is speaking truth to power: regulation of the online world is urgently needed to keep children safe while they enjoy the most of new technology.

“Children face growing risks online, including cyber-bullying, sexual grooming and exposure to self-harm forums. Two-thirds of the vulnerable children supported through our sexual exploitation services were groomed online before meeting their abuser in person.

“All children are vulnerable online – including boys, who are often overlooked as victims. We need urgent action to introduce statutory regulation with the power to impose sanctions if the rules aren’t followed.”

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

US activists call for election monitors as elitist Joe Biden keeps advancing

Next Post

UK response to coronavirus outbreak set to enter ‘delay’ phase

Next Post

UK response to coronavirus outbreak set to enter 'delay' phase

Call to cancel dirty coal plant projects worldwide as clean renewables ‘out-compete’ on cost

Call to cancel dirty coal plant projects worldwide as clean renewables ‘out-compete’ on cost

A picture of Chelsea Manning standing in front of a fence and raising her fist.

Calls grow to end Chelsea Manning's imprisonment following her suicide attempt

Italian police

More prisoners reported dead after police repression of revolts in quarantined Italian jails

3 boats with refugees are arriving to the beaches of Skala Sykamia, in the background you can see another 2 boats, Lesvos island, Greece (photo taken in 2015)

Coronavirus has reached the doorstep of the world's worst refugee camp

Please login to join discussion
The British Museum just held an event with the Israeli embassy - and the Met police responded by repressing Palestine protesters
News

British Museum holds event with the Israeli embassy – so Met Police respond by repressing Palestine protesters

by The Canary
14 May 2025
EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer's in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London
Analysis

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer’s in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London

by Ed Sykes
14 May 2025
People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour's DWP benefit cuts
News

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour’s DWP benefit cuts

by The Canary
14 May 2025
Keir Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' speech: channeling the racist rhetoric of Enoch Powell
Opinion

Is Keir Starmer capable of killing?

by Jamie Driscoll
14 May 2025
As an ACTUAL GENOCIDE continues, its apologists come for Gary Lineker over an emoji
Opinion

As an ACTUAL GENOCIDE continues, its apologists come for Gary Lineker over an emoji

by Ed Sykes
14 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

The British Museum just held an event with the Israeli embassy - and the Met police responded by repressing Palestine protesters
News
The Canary

British Museum holds event with the Israeli embassy – so Met Police respond by repressing Palestine protesters

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer's in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London
Analysis
Ed Sykes

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer’s in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour's DWP benefit cuts
News
The Canary

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour’s DWP benefit cuts

Keir Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' speech: channeling the racist rhetoric of Enoch Powell
Opinion
Jamie Driscoll

Is Keir Starmer capable of killing?

ADVERTISEMENT
Business
Nathan Spears

When digital isn’t enough: why paper still matters in modern business

Tech
Nathan Spears

How Digital Addictions Are Formed in the Shadow of Large Platforms

Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Recovery in the Sun: How the Canary Islands are Becoming a Wellness Tourism Hub