Today we are living in the world of AI. Which does the work of minutes in seconds. AI is being used in many things, from editing to information. Even AI has been made minister in Albania. But, this world of AI seems magical. At the same time, ever since this world came into existence, there has been a rapid increase in crimes against women.

Tampering with photographs through AI has become common. Using AI, such pictures are being created in which it is becoming difficult to differentiate whether they are true or false. Many cases of tampering with photographs of women have come to light. Even actresses are becoming victims of this. Actress Keerthy Suresh had told that she was shocked when she saw a fake photo created by AI without her permission. He said that he understood how dangerous this technology has become.

Keerthi Suresh told how dangerous

Keerthy Suresh said, it is very disturbing to see pictures of my face circulating online, especially in clothes and environment that are not mine. Kirti said that now the basic concept of privacy has come under question. She was shocked the most when she and her husband were seen standing together in an AI photo. It looked exactly like the original picture.

She further said, I could not believe it myself. She looked so real that we started doubting ourselves. This technological development can do good, but if it falls into the hands of the wrong people, it can become a huge threat. He warned that people would not be able to understand which information to trust and which is false.

No legal protection to Rs 180 crore

Recently a UN report has come out which shows how crimes against women are increasing due to the use of AI. Also, a shocking report has come out that despite the increase in crime due to AI, 180 crore women still do not have access to legal protection.

The United Nations agency for women’s rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment (UN Women) has given a serious warning this week. Where gradually women are being harassed and molested all over the world using technology. On the other hand, less than 40 percent of countries still have laws to deal with cyber harassment or cyber stalking. The result is that criminals remain fearless and victims do not get justice.

Keerthy Suresh also expressed deep concern about the safety of women in India. He said, the safety of women in the country is still under question in many ways. Technology may be advancing, but attacks on women and attempts to defame them have not reduced. It is very sad that women’s faces are being misused through AI.

Photo tampering increased

It seems as if suddenly receiving objectionable messages from some account on social media has become a common thing. But, now with the use of AI, photos of women are also tampered. Due to this, the Internet is simultaneously becoming both an empowerment and a threat for women. It is a medium of expression and opportunity, but it has also increasingly become a weapon in the hands of the oppressors.

I have my own public account. But, one day suddenly my mother told me to remove my photos from social media. When I asked the reason, she said that she had seen how women’s photos were being tampered with. What are the photographs being made of? Where fear is increasing among women who are victims of these crimes. At the same time, other women are also afraid of this.

UN expressed warning

The UN report said that women leaders, journalists, activists and women active in public life are constantly facing gender misinformation, deepfake attacks and online harassment campaigns, which aim to silence and embarrass them. One in four female journalists reports receiving death threats online.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahus said, what starts online, doesn’t stay online. Digital harassment extends into real life too—intimidation increases, voices are silenced and, in the worst cases, even physical violence and murder of women. She also said that laws should evolve with technology so that justice can protect women both online and offline.

38% faced online violence

The increasing use of AI has greatly increased digital abuse—it is now faster than ever, and yet harder to detect. According to a global survey, 38 percent of women have experienced online violence and 85 percent have seen it happening.

Deepfake is becoming a weapon

AI-powered deepfake technology is being used as a weapon on a large scale. About 95 percent of deepfakes online are pornographic images created without consent, and 99 percent of the victims are women.

Digital abuse is not limited to screens only. Online attacks quickly spread into real life and their severity increases. Activist Laura Bates warns against underestimating the damage. He said, the distance between online and offline is an illusion.

Online violence, not just online

She added that when a domestic abuser uses online tools to track or stalk a victim, it is not limited to just online when abusive porn deepfakes are uploaded. But it also affects the real life of women. These deepfakes take away a woman’s job or access to her children, or when a young woman is embarrassed in real life after online abuse and drops out of school.

These few examples show how easily and how dangerously digital abuse can affect real life and turn a woman’s entire life upside down.

What is the way forward?

UN Women emphasizes that prevention must go beyond mere punishment. The agency says that more women should be included in technological development, safe online platforms should be created, harmful content should be removed immediately and accountability should be included in AI design.

Join the #NoExcuse campaign from 25 November to 10 December to learn and take action to stop digital abuse against women and girls.

68.2 crore victims of violence

Women have been victims of violence not only in AI but also in real life. According to the UN report on Violence Against Women (2023), overall, 25.8% of ever married/partnered women aged 15–49 years and 24.7% of ever married/partnered women aged 15 years and above have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from their current or former husband/partner at least once in their life. This number is equal to approximately 682 million (68.2 crore) women.

13.7% of such women aged 15–49 years and 11.4% of women aged 15 years and older reported experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in the past 12 months. This number is equal to at least 316 million (31.6 crore) women.

UN campaign

Crime against women is increasing all over the world in the world of AI. To control this, the UN has taken steps to stop it. UN Women has started a 16-day activism campaign. Through this campaign, UN Women is calling for a world where technology promotes equality—not disadvantage.

Under this campaign, UN Women is appealing to tech companies to recruit more women, create safe online environments, remove harmful content faster and respond effectively to abuse complaints.