Gender-Based Violence in Digital Spaces: Measuring and Exploring Exposure among University Students in Pakistan

This project seeks to explore and address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in digital spaces, a modern public health crisis that disproportionately impacts women, girls, and individuals with disabilities, causing serious health, social, and economic repercussions. Focusing on university students in Karachi, Pakistan, the study will tackle the largely under-researched phenomenon of digital GBV, including cyberstalking, impersonation, doxing, and other forms of online harassment. The project's mixed-methods approach will involve quantitative online surveys with 768 students and qualitative interviews with 30 participants from both private and public universities to understand the prevalence, nature, and impact of digital GBV on academics, social functioning, and mental health. Additionally, the project will examine students' attitudes, beliefs, awareness of resources, and personal definitions of GBV in digital spaces. Insights gained will inform evidence-based recommendations for policy changes, awareness campaigns, and support services aimed at mitigating GBV in digital environments. Through interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from the University of Michigan (UM) and Aga Khan University (AKU), this project aligns with global thematic priorities of empowering women and communities, ultimately contributing to a safer, more inclusive digital landscape for university students in Pakistan. The findings will also provide foundational data for future large-scale research initiatives, supporting broader efforts to address GBV in digital spaces within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).