Shanley Clemot McLaren, a 25-year-old activist and gender policy officer at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was awarded at the Young Activists Summit for her work combatting cybersexism. She founded #StopFischa, a platform dedicated to fighting online gendered violence, after noticing a rise in cyber-harassment targeting women during the COVID-19 pandemic. McLaren’s platform provides legal and psychological assistance to victims and has successfully advocated for French laws against technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
She is also monitoring online trends, highlighting the rise of ‘masculinist’ content on platforms like TikTok, where men promote controlling behaviors towards women. McLaren warns that this content is increasingly polished, making it harder for moderation to respond effectively. Despite providing crucial support for victims of cybersexism, #StopFischa has not been granted ‘flagger’ status by Meta, hindering their ability to report harmful content.
McLaren’s activism highlights the urgent need for stronger measures against online gendered violence and the importance of providing support for victims, especially young individuals who may struggle to navigate complex complaint systems. She continues to fight for a safer online environment for everyone, pushing for greater awareness of the dangers posed by cybersexism and advocating for stronger regulations against perpetrators.
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