Advances Of Latin America In Policies Against Cyber Harassment Of Women

25N, celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women every year on Nov. 25, aims to bring to light and denounce the daily experiences of thousands of women who are victims of sexual and psychological abuse at the hands of others as well as a justice system that has failed to protect them, Latin American Post reported.

When it comes to feminist and intersectional social struggle, Latin America is one region that is out in front.

However, during Senator Mara José Pizarro's intervention at the hearing on violence against women and femicides, a 5-second clip of a guy masturbating shown on the screens in the room disrupted the celebration of the last 25N in the Colombian Congress. The Legal Commission for Women's Equality, which organized the hearing, condemned the incident and emphasized that it "shows once again the terrible reality of the abuse experienced by women."

In order to ensure the protection of human rights in digital life, taking into account the various approaches that this can mean, such as gender, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations Organization and the Organization of American States have produced Digital Human Rights.

In 2013, Argentina added the offense of sexual cyberharassment to its Penal Code and established dedicated prosecutor's offices for it. This year, the country's government unveiled the Mica Ortega Law – Grooming Prevention and Awareness.

In order to acknowledge digital violence and the invasion of sexual privacy caused by the non-consensual circulation of photos, Mexico also recently made changes to its Federal Penal Code.

Chile, on the other hand, is presently drafting a law to update its Penal Code in order to include internet violence as a crime.

In Ecuador, work was being made on a bill that will criminalize cyberbullying, though it still lacks a gender perspective. However, the government vetoed the bill because the penalties could restrict freedom of expression.

The laws against cyberbullying from a gender viewpoint in Brazil are also restricted to the sharing of photos. Still, the term "virtual rape" has already been used on two occasions to penalize two men.

Congress was recently tasked by Colombia's Constitutional Court to begin the classification procedures for online violence against women in order to prevent, repair, prohibit, and punish it.