0
0
Growing up in a small city in India, I saw first-hand the injustices that many women and girls faced daily. Gender equality and women’s empowerment have always been issues that moved me, both as a journalist and in my personal life. But now, as a mother to a little girl, these conversations hit even closer to home. The digital world, with all its advantages, also presents new threats—especially for women and young girls. So, when I was invited to attend the SHE Symposium 2025 at YWCA Singapore, I knew I had to be there. The discussions around online safety, AI, and gender norms are more pertinent than ever, and events like these play a crucial role in driving change.
The rising threat of AI-driven online harms
SHE Symposium 2025, organised by SG Her Empowerment (SHE), brought together policymakers, tech experts, youth leaders, and advocacy groups to address the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in online spaces. As AI becomes more sophisticated, its darker implications—deepfake technology, cyber harassment, and digital defamation—are also on the rise.
During the opening address, Ms Stefanie Yuen Thio, Chairperson of SHE, highlighted this concern: “The dark side of online spaces and AI must be addressed. Their misuse amplifies misogyny and disproportionately harms women and girls. The SHE Annual Symposium is a call to action—for more dialogue, collaboration, education, and stronger support for victims.”
As someone who has spent years advocating for women’s rights, I found this particularly striking. The digital landscape is evolving faster than regulations can keep up, leaving many women vulnerable to online abuse with little recourse.
A collective effort for a safer online space: SHE Symposium 2025
Guest-of-Honour, Madam Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, underscored the pressing need for stronger protections. “Digital technologies bring benefits to society and the economy, but they have also presented risks, including to the safety and well-being of many, especially women and girls.”
She spoke about the government’s commitment to enhancing legal frameworks to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. It was heartening to see various stakeholders—government agencies, industry leaders, and community organisations—coming together with a shared vision at SHE Symposium 2025.
Guest of Honour Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development, took it a step further by emphasising the need to tackle societal norms that perpetuate harmful behaviours: “Building a safer and more inclusive environment for our women and girls goes beyond having stronger legal protections. We must also tackle underlying societal norms and beliefs in the online and offline space.”
Her words resonated deeply with me. As a mother raising a daughter in this digital age, I see the importance of challenging outdated mindsets that continue to devalue women’s contributions and limit their freedom.
The SHE quick guide to online harms: A lifeline for victims
One of the most impactful moments of SHE Symposium 2025 was the launch of SHE’s Quick Guide to Online Harms, a resource designed to provide practical advice, key statistics, and case summaries from SHECARES@SCWO—Singapore’s first dedicated support centre for victims of online harms.
This guide is a critical tool for victims of cyberbullying, image-based sexual abuse, cyberstalking, and defamation. The statistics shared were staggering:
- 9 in 10 victims of online harm are female
- Half of all victims are under 35 years old
- 1 in 3 clients faced both online and offline harm simultaneously
- Half of all cases involved multiple forms of online abuse
Hearing about real-life cases was deeply unsettling. One case involved a woman whose personal photos were digitally altered into explicit images and shared online. Another victim was doxxed across multiple Telegram groups, leaving her feeling unsafe even in her own home. These stories reinforced the urgent need for better support systems.
“As technology advances faster than regulation, more people are at risk. From AI deepfakes to cyberbullying, online harms are becoming alarmingly normalised. We must reject this culture of harm and misogyny. SHE remains committed to raising awareness, empowering survivors, and equipping communities with the tools to fight back,” said Ms Yuen Thio.
For me, this guide represents more than just a resource—it’s a beacon of hope. The reality is that many victims of online abuse don’t know where to turn, and this initiative offers them tangible support.
Shaping the future: Women in AI and digital safety
A particularly insightful discussion was the panel on “Shaping Intelligence: Why Women Must Lead in AI.” Experts from LinkedIn, IMDA, and Resaro explored the necessity of having more women involved in AI’s development to ensure that gender biases are addressed at the root.
Another highlight was the interactive performance, FAKE NUDES, which creatively illustrated how AI is being weaponised against women. This was followed by breakout discussions that encouraged attendees to share their thoughts and solutions.
Also read on The Next Idea: Breaking barriers: Empowering women entrepreneurs in SMEs
Moving forward: A call to action from SHE Symposium 2025
SHE Symposium 2025 closed with a powerful message—change requires collective action. Legal reforms, industry accountability, and community support all play vital roles in making online spaces safer for women and girls.
As I left the event, I reflected on my role as a journalist and a mother. Conversations like these aren’t just necessary; they’re urgent. We must continue advocating for better protections, educating young people about online safety, and challenging societal norms that enable misogyny to thrive.
The digital world isn’t going away, and neither are its dangers. But with efforts like those led by SHE Symposium 2025, there is hope for a safer, more equitable future for the next generation.
Attendees can continue the conversation and stay updated across all SHE’s official social media channels including LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. For more information, please refer to the programme here.
Average Rating