Siena Anstis

Building upon our prior research and the contributions of other scholars to this field, the aim of this novel study is to understand the security risks and harms caused by digital transnational repression against exiled and diaspora women human rights defenders. Drawing on the lived experiences of 85 women human rights defenders originating from 24 countries of origin (which we also refer to as home countries in the report) and residing in 23 host countries (which we also refer to as countries of residence or host states), we examine how gender and sexuality play a central role in digital transnational repression. We refer to this specific dimension of transnational repression as gender-based digital transnational repression. This study contributes to existing research on transnational repression and authoritarianism by investigating the specific ways in which state and state-affiliated actors deploy digital technologies and weaponize gender as a tool of repression against women human rights defenders residing outside their countries of origin. We shed light on new forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence against political exiles and diaspora members and the impacts of this practice on targeted individuals and communities. Read the study here.