Cairo: The Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism has reported that 60 percent of Arab women internet users have encountered online violence and harassment. The observatory warned that digital abuse is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of violence in recent years.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the observatory released a statement urging the public not to let hatred cloud their awareness, emphasizing that 'hatred in the mind is the first gateway to extremism and the last exit from peace.' In the current era, where misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories abound, the observatory underscored that awareness is one of the most valuable assets individuals possess.

The observatory detailed that digital violence impacts millions of women and girls globally, ranging from cyberstalking and online harassment to deep fake manipulation and defamation. It referred to global statistics showing that approximately 58 percent of women and girls have faced some form of digital violence. In the Arab region specifically, women are 27 times more likely than men to experience online harassment.

To tackle this issue, the observatory encouraged individuals to question the sources and evidence of online information rather than accepting everything at face value. It also highlighted the importance of education in distinguishing between facts and misinformation, describing it as the cornerstone of awareness.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that every piece of content shared online contributes to either strengthening or tearing apart the social fabric. It reiterated that hatred is a learned behavior that can be overcome through increased awareness.