The Chilling Effect: Hate, Misogyny and the Digital Information Disorder

Although the digital space continues to extend the promise of extraordinary opportunities for expanding the voice and agency of women, girls and marginalized groups, it has fallen short of our ideals. It has enabled the transfer to the online space of the misogyny that politically-active women face in person, as well as supported the deliberate assault on the political activism of women and girls by authoritarians and those with illiberal tendencies. The impact of these dynamics is to have a chilling effect on the political ambitions, engagement and empowerment of women and girls, causing many not to step forward, to withdraw or to self-censor. In a moderated conversation political women, activists, journalists and industry insiders will discuss what needs to be done to address the digital information disorder.