Women, Peace and Security Hybrid Threats

30 November -0001

Gender and Cybersecurity 101

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE) Public Factsheets and infographics 2026

Four factsheets to highlight the importance of gendered cybersecurity in civilian crisis management.

Online violence against women and girls has escalated rapidly in recent years, posing major threats to safety and wellbeing. In conflict-affected areas, both men and women are exposed to cyberviolence, targeted by recruitment efforts from conflict parties, and are more vulnerable to cybercrime. However, women in these fragile settings face a double burden: online abuse rooted in gender discrimination and offline violence driven by instability. In places where violence is already common and accepted, online hate and disinformation can more easily escalate into real-world attacks—including sexual and gender-based violence. 

Four factsheets were produced by the CoE:

  • What gendered cybersecurity is, some steps taken by the EU to fight against online gender-based abuse, and the connection between gendered cybersecurity and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
  • Guidance for how cyber and hybrid advisors in civilian CSDP missions can address gendered cyberviolence, together with other colleagues.
  • Guidance on how to address the topic in UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans (NAPs)
  • A glossary of often used terminology in relation to gendered cyberviolence.

References: 

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (2026). Gender-based cyberviolence

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (2026). Mainstreaming gender into the work of cyber and hybrid advisers in missions

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (2026). Cybersecurity and Women, Peace and Security

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (2026). Gender and Cybersecurity 101 Glossary

Gender-based cyberviolence

PDF | 3 pages
Read the full factsheet

Mainstreaming gender into the work of cyber and hybrid advisers in missions

PDF | 4 pages
Read the full factsheet

Cybersecurity and Women, Peace and Security

PDF | 3 pages
Read the full factsheet

Glossary

PDF | 2 pages
Read the full factsheet

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