This study examines Iraq’s legal and institutional response to technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. It focuses on those most at risk, including women human rights defenders, journalists, media professionals, and women active in public life. It shows how this violence extends gender-based violence into digital space. Then it assesses whether Iraq’s systems can respond in line with international standards.

The study identifies major legal and institutional gaps. Iraqi law does not explicitly criminalize gender-based digital violence, though some general provisions in Penal Code No. 111 of 1969 may be interpreted to cover related acts. Weak coordination, limited gender sensitivity, and low digital literacy across judicial and security institutions also undermine protection and accountability.

The report documents key forms of abuse, including online sexual extortion, doxxing, cyber harassment, stalking, coordinated online attacks, the non-consensual sharing of intimate content, and AI-generated deepfakes used for defamation and blackmail. These harms go beyond psychological impact. They also carry serious legal, professional, and economic consequences that restrict women’s participation in public life.

The study calls for a comprehensive national response. It recommends clearer legal protections, stronger judicial and law enforcement capacity, specialized digital complaint units, expanded digital safety awareness, and deeper partnerships with civil society.

Available in Arabic only.