Countering transnational repression

Recommendations

Increase public awareness of gender-based aspects of transnational repression

• Include gender dimensions in the definition of TNR, taking into consideration how women and men human rights defenders, politicians, journalists, LGBTQIA+¹ activists, and other dissidents are targeted differently.

• Bring a gender lens to all public awareness initiatives by highlighting how TNR affects people differently, based on their gender identity and sexual orientation, and how gender norms and stereotypes are exploited by TNR actors, including through the use of gender-based digital TNR against women in exile.

• Engage public service media to ensure there is trusted content for tech companies to aggregate in a form that people would read.

• Encourage universities to incorporate gender dimensions in their analysis and response, addressing the diverse situations of female and LGBTQIA+ students and faculty.

Build the capacity of governments and civil society organizations to respond to gendered aspects of transnational repression

• Train G7 member-countries’ officials (including law enforcement, immigration, embassy staff, and technology monitoring staff) on the gender dimensions of TNR.

• Ensure new G7 response protocols and toolkits explicitly address the gendered dimensions of TNR (including the perspectives of survivors) as well as concrete measures to ensure that all forms of TNR are better understood. Include concrete markers for identifying gendered forms of TNR, such as sexualized smear campaigns, child-related threats, or honour-based targeting.

• Ensure that the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism and any other reporting mechanisms that G7 members support include data disaggregated by sex, gender, age, and other key diversity aspects, as well as anonymized case studies of gender-based TNR.

• Fund research on the gender dimensions of TNR, including in areas where gender-based vulnerabilities are often exploited, such as human trafficking, transnational organized crime, and illicit financial flows.

• Increase funding for feminist and LGBTQIA+ organizations, including those active under authoritarian regimes and in diaspora communities, and engage these organizations in TNR analysis and response. 

• Establish comprehensive protection frameworks (that is, legal protections, law enforcement, intelligence services, cybersecurity measures, and social support services) for activists at risk that include their families.

• Update national guidance on supporting women human rights defenders to include TNR response.

Rationale

LGBTQIA+ individuals, women from racial and ethnic minorities, and those living with disabilities face greater risks of both being targeted and disproportionately affected by transnational repression. Many of today’s authoritarian and populist leaders rely on hypermasculinity and misogynistic speech to shore up support and silence their critics. Outspoken women who challenge patriarchal privilege are perceived as threats and targeted with insults, abuse, and physical intimidation. In 2024, Women Press Freedom documented 67 cases of TNR against women journalists, up from 19 in 2023. This escalation highlights the need for increased public awareness and preparedness in host countries.

Incorporating gender considerations in counter-repression efforts can empower marginalized groups and enhance their resilience. Raising public awareness fosters understanding, enabling those affected by TNR to access support. Building government and civil society organizations (CSOs) capacity through training and toolkits ensures effective responses to gendered dimensions of TNR. Funding research and collaborating with CSOs provide comprehensive, real-world-informed solutions.

Footnotes

[1] Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other.