Recent human rights reports shed light on a growing phenomenon targeting women activists in the field of environmental and climate defense. According to Global Witness, 90% of women defenders of the earth and climate are subjected to violent forms of digital harassment, ranging from death threats to defamation and the publishing of personal information, a tactic known as “doxing.” These practices are not confined to the digital space but often escalate into real-life assaults or organized harassment aimed at silencing these women's voices.
One of the most prominent cases highlighted in the report is that of Indonesian activist Fatrisia Ain, who faced a vicious campaign of threats and harassment after participating in environmental protests against polluting projects in her country. Fatrisia is not alone many other women have experienced similar online repression, including attacks on their integrity, slander, and defamation of their families in an attempt to break their will and discourage them from continuing their activism.
Despite the severity of these campaigns, the response of major social media platforms such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter) has been largely inadequate. The report shows that only 12% of affected women were satisfied with how these platforms handled their complaints, revealing a deep flaw in digital protection mechanisms, especially when it comes to women working in sensitive fields that challenge powerful economic and political interests.
This type of digital violence should not be viewed as isolated or random behavior. It is part of a systematic oppression targeting women, particularly when they take public stances that oppose the status quo or threaten the profits of powerful corporations or dubious government projects. Such a hostile environment not only endangers the safety of women defenders but also restricts their freedom of expression and public engagement, posing a serious threat to the future of environmental movements and human rights as a whole.
In light of these findings, pressure is mounting on governments and tech companies to take meaningful and practical steps to protect activists and hold those behind this systematic digital violence accountable. The fight is not only for the climate but also for the right to defend it without fear.