As part of efforts to support Pakistan in strengthening its response to technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) and UNDP Pakistan convened a technical consultation, bringing together the Women’s Human Rights Institute of Korea (WHRIK) and the Ministry of Human Rights of Pakistan. The webinar provided a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences on integrated, survivor-centred responses to TFGBV.

Through the SDG Partnerships programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), USPC and UNDP Pakistan are supporting efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s institutional responses to TFGBV. As Pakistan advances the implementation of its first National Strategy on TFGBV, the meeting offered an opportunity to explore practical, survivor-centred institutional approaches, inspired by Korea’s model.

Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, and Anne Juepner, Director of USPC, opened the meeting by underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to address the growing challenges posed by TFGBV and its impact on the safety and participation of women and girls. The exchange also brought together colleagues from UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, reflecting UNDP’s commitment to advancing regional knowledge exchange on TFGBV. Misoon Kim, Director of the National Center for Digital Sexual Crime Response (NCDSCR) at WHRIK, emphasized the value of international peer-learning and cooperation in strengthening responses to TFGBV.

Following an overview of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts, WHRIK presented the operational model of NCDSCR, Korea’s specialized institution providing integrated support to survivors of TFGBV. The presentation covered the Centre’s legal and institutional framework, case management procedures and approaches to evidence handling, offering practical insights into the operation of a survivor-centred support mechanism.

Discussions focused on a range of approaches for effective implementation, including mechanisms to facilitate the timely removal of harmful online content, accessible reporting channels for survivors and strengthened coordination among relevant institutions. Participants also highlighted the importance of institutional capacity, specialized expertise, public awareness and continued cooperation among stakeholders in responding to the evolving challenges posed by digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.  

Building on this exchange, USPC will continue to support the tailored adaptation of actionable approaches to advance response mechanisms to TFGBV through connecting institutions, fostering peer learning, and facilitating South-South and Triangular Cooperation.