Gendered Digital Surveillance

Gendered Digital Surveillance

One of the sessions held at the DRAPAC 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur in August was on gendered digital surveillance that was organized by Ellen Kusuma from Indonesia. It aimed to discuss and explore how gendered surveillance technologies impact marginalized communities in Southeast Asia, and identify actionable measures that can be taken when faced with surveillance. I was invited to be one of the speakers for the session, together with Dhyta Caturani of Purple Code Collective, Nenden Arum of SAFEnet Indonesia, Zulker Naeen from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and Farhanah of Digital Defenders Partnership.

During the session, I mentioned about FMA’s work on mapping cases of online gender-based violence, and shared the case of a young woman who requested FMA’s assistance because her partner threatened to expose her nude photos on social media if she does not pay him a certain amount. The photos, according to the woman, were taken without her knowledge and consent.

A woman’s body is constantly being watched – whether clothed or not. And with digital technology, the more that gendered bodies are being gazed upon and watched – whether by the human eye or the electronic eye. For example, CCTV cameras installed in many public places monitor and capture our movements. The photos and videos that we post on our social media pages are being viewed by people known to us but also those we do not know. There are also hidden cameras in changing rooms, toilets and other spaces that take photos, often of women, which violate their right to privacy.

In the digital age, surveillance is also about identifying, monitoring, tracking, and analyzing data. These days, many people use digital wearables and apps to monitor and track one’s health. Menstrual tracking apps for example are commonly used by women and they collect information about the user.  Sometimes the information collected can identify the user. They are also shared with third parties, sometimes without the user’s consent.

Historically, socially and politically, surveillance has been an issue of gender. As Dhyta Caturani of Purple Code Collective said, “some bodies are more surveilled than others.” These are bodies of women and gender-diverse individuals. Often, they are attacked on the basis of their sexuality. And this is rooted in an unbalanced power dynamic where a person or a group has more control or influence than the other. Such control is being used to make women obey or conform to a certain norm.

Surveillance has implications for women. They can lead to violence against them, resulting in harms to their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, including harm to their reputation.

The session deepened the discussion on social inequalities and infringement of fundamental rights of women and other marginalized communities in Southeast Asia as a result of gendered digital surveillance. Aside from the sharing of examples and experiences by the speakers, the session also served as a safe space for those present to share their own experiences and ask questions. It also highlighted the need for online safety, sisterhood, and solidarity, among others.

This blog was written by Ms. Liza S. Garcia, who took part in the DRAPAC 2025 conference  held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.