Asian Ecumenical Women’s Conference analyses complex forms of Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)
The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) held the Asian Ecumenical Women’s Conference (AEWC), in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 11to 15 November 2025. Participants examined critical issues including conflict, shrinking civic space, and digital abuse, highlighting emerging and complex forms of gender-based violence across Asia.
The conference was held under the theme: “for Such a Time as This”: Towards Ending Violence Against Women in Asia.
The discussions on the second day of the AEWC centred on digital gender-based violence, forced displacement, and the importance of partnership between women and men in combating violence against women. Speakers presented case studies from Cambodia and Myanmar all citing the use of various digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or exploit individuals.
Kartini Sunityo, Partnership Manager at Asia Centre, Bangkok, noted
that while digital transformation and social media have empowered women with greater visibility and civic influence, these platforms have also enabled TFGBV, particularly against women with public profiles, including rights defenders and journalists.”
Ms. Sunityo warned that TFGBV stems from patriarchal norms and cultural pressures, urging immediate action to protect vulnerable rural and indigenous communities, stating:
Upholding women’s dignity and rights online aligns with the biblical and theological mandate for justice, respect, and equality…. Safeguarding women’s dignity in the digital realm is not only a moral and theological imperative but also a practical strategy for building and maintaining just and inclusive societies.”
Poe Po, a representative of the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) and General Secretary of the Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO), noted that abuses have persisted in Myanmar since independence, with successive military regimes targeting ethnic minorities.
The panel discussion led by Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon, Programme Coordinator at the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), and Rev. Moumita Biswas of the Church of North India on “Towards Advancing Gender Equality: Partnership of Women and Men in Combating Violence Against Women” urged greater cooperation between women and men to eliminate gender-based violence and advance equality within faith communities.
Rev. Biswas pointed out that the ecumenical movement, with campaigns of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the CCA:
have encouraged churches to ensure women’s full participation, uphold justice and peace, and challenge gender-based violence. She urged faith communities to continue to re-examine their structures, teachings, and practices, incorporate the concept of transformative masculinity, and stand in solidarity with women globally.”
The WCC Thursdays in Black campaign, with its effort to promote awareness and advocacy has led to tangible action against violence and discrimination.
Read the CCA source article : CCA News: AEWC analyses complex forms of Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and forced displacement amid escalating conflicts in Asia | cca.org.hk | news |