„Without my consent, it's not your content”. Under this slogan, UNFPA Moldova, alongside various national and international partners, has initiated the global awareness and mobilization campaign against digital violence, "Bodyright," in the Republic of Moldova. The campaign launch event, organized on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, aimed to create a powerful movement against online abuse.
Alongside development partners, civil society, government authorities, opinion leaders, and information technology companies, UNFPA Moldova issued a call to end online violence, recognize the seriousness of the issue, and identify joint solutions against digital risks.
„The main element of the “Bodyright” campaign is the symbol 'b' – the first copyright for the human body. Just as copyright protects music, books, and other author materials, there is a need to protect human bodies on the internet. It's time to set limits online. We are grateful to all partners supporting this cause. Together, we are starting a movement to end online sexual harassment, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and, most importantly, to hold accountable the abusers beyond the screen”, said Natalia Plugaru, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Moldova.
According to UNFPA, technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a complex phenomenon with various forms that can easily transition from online to offline. Cyberbullying, sexual harassment, sextortion, porn revenge, image manipulation, hate speech, fake accounts, are all widespread forms of online violence, primarily targeting women and girls.
Globally, 85% of women and girls have experienced or witnessed some form of violence of this kind. In the Republic of Moldova, every second teenager has reported being asked for sexually explicit images online (La Strada Study, 2020).
To raise awareness, especially among teenagers and young people, the renowned artist from Moldova and Romania – Dara – has engaged as Ambassador of the campaign, committing to fight against all forms of online violence. She has written a song dedicated to this topic, "Neiubire Virtuală" (Virtual Unlove), which was officially launched at the “Bodyright” campaign event.
„Not stylish and not beautiful”, this is not just a verse of the song. The first time I started receiving comments like this, I thought I deserved them, and it's very serious when you think that people's frustrations are about you. I sat and thought about how many women, girls, men, and boys suffer but don't talk about it. I know best how to express myself through music, and my music has rights, but my body does not. It has been used countless times without my consent. Images of my intimate lingerie have gone viral on multiple social media platforms. They have gathered millions of views – much more than my music did at that time, which is sad. I want people to understand that there is a limit even online and that there are virtual crimes that have real consequences”, explained Dara about her involvement in the “Bodyright” campaign.
The campaign runs in Moldova from November 2023 to March 2024 and includes multiple awareness actions with young people, mobilization on social networks, as well as policy advocacy for legal regulation.
The campaign is organized in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the International Center "La Strada," the Women’s Law Center, the Council of Europe, Orange company, and with the financial support of the United Kingdom.
Learn more about the campaign, and support “Bodyright” movement in Moldova here.
Listen to Dara’s „Virtual Unlove” song here.
