Rio A.J. Dondokambey, a member of the Indonesian House of\nRepresentatives\u2019 Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP), has\ncalled for the strengthening of protections for women on digital\nplatforms. According to Rio, female politicians, particularly those\nactive in politics, face significantly heavier challenges than their\nmale counterparts. Debates that should focus on ideas, policies, and\npolitical performance frequently devolve into gender-based attacks.<\/p>\n
These attacks target not only the political views of women but also\ntheir physical appearance, private lives, morality, family roles, and\ngender identity. Rio assessed that this situation is further exacerbated\nby the spread of disinformation, intimidation, and harassment via social\nmedia. Such attacks can effectively prevent women from participating\nactively in public life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not merely a communication issue; it is a matter of\ndemocracy. When online harassment silences female leaders or hinders\nthem from entering public life, democracy loses voices, perspectives,\nand representation,\u201d Rio stated in a press release on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan faction politician believes that social media can\namplify discriminatory narratives if not used and managed responsibly.\nInstead of serving as a space for the exchange of ideas, digital\nplatforms are often utilised to attack the personal attributes of women.\nConsequently, the substance regarding capacity, policy, and political\nperformance is sidelined from public debate.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Rio is pushing for a stronger international commitment to\nensure that technology companies and digital platform managers are held\naccountable for the content circulating within their services. Global\nplatform providers, he noted, must not allow social media to become a\nvehicle for the spread of harassment, disinformation, and various\nharmful contents that threaten the political participation of women.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia is currently exploring a stronger approach towards\nplatform accountability, the creation of a safer digital ecosystem, and\ngreater transparency,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
In addition to strengthening regulation and platform accountability,\nRio emphasised the need to build digital resilience within society.\nThese efforts can be achieved through increased digital literacy,\neducation regarding online communication ethics, and strengthening\npublic awareness of the risks of misinformation and disinformation. Rio\nmaintained that protecting female politicians should not be understood\nas an attempt to limit criticism or freedom of speech, but rather to\nensure that political debate remains healthy and free from intimidation\nand gender-based discrimination.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-of-representatives-urges-protection-of-women-from-gender-based-digital-violence-1780984272", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }