Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Cambodia: Impact on the Civic Freedoms of Women Journalists and Human Rights Defenders

The increasing use of digital platforms for advocacy by women in Cambodia has been accompanied by a rise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), a form of harassment perpetrated online. While all women and girls are at risk, those highly visible in the public sphere – such as women human rights defenders (WHRDs), Indigenous advocates, journalists, and civil society leaders – face heightened exposure. Despite its severity, TFGBV remains poorly documented in Cambodia. This report examines TFGBV targeting high-profile women in advocacy and argues that it is an extension of gender-based violence (GBV), sustained by patriarchal structures and a fragmented protection ecosystem spanning multiple sectors. The findings highlight three primary forms of TFGBV: (1) online harassment aimed at discrediting women, (2) online sexual harassment, and (3) the manipulation of digital content to misrepresent or vilify survivors. Although legal mechanisms, CSO-led reporting channels, and awareness raising strategies and public education exist, to a certain extent, as key defences, they remain largely ineffective due to the absence of survivor-centred approaches. Addressing TFGBV requires a multistakeholder response, involving government reforms, CSO-led monitoring and awareness initiatives, technology sector accountability, and responsible media practices. Without action, TFGBV will continue to drive women out of public spaces, reinforcing the silencing effect of TFGBV.