“It’s just a joke.” Across Europe, so much of online gender-based hate speech hides in plain sight, masked by humour, tradition, or faith. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), 13% of women in the EU have experienced cyber-harassment (online abuse) in general; among younger women (aged 16–29) the figure rises to 25%. These words and figures are symptomatic of a culture of hate speech online, and the persistent attempt to silence, ridicule, and marginalise women and LGBTQAI+ people.
New research highlights the extent of the issue of gender-based hate online
Research carried out for the CHASE project – Combating online HAte Speech by engaging online mEdia, across Cyprus, France, Greece, and Italy revealed that, while each country has its own legal framework, few laws explicitly protect against misogynistic or transphobic hate speech – and many comments who clearly convey such ideas and values fall outside the scope of current legal action. CHASE’s legal framework analysis has highlighted that hate speech is often considered more abstract than other online crimes, and as such it receives less attention and more tolerance, compared to – for example – extreme or terrorist speech.
The everyday reality of online hate speech is often subtle, yet deeply damaging. The objectification of women, sexist “jokes,” mockery of transgender identities, and opinions about what is “normal” or “acceptable,” often disguised as tradition or faith, are common examples. CHASE’s report on online hate speech patterns shows instances of women being reduced to objects of sexual desire as well as minimisations of rape.
While such comments may not break the law, they create a hostile online environment and reinforce stereotypes that legitimise discrimination. This ‘soft’ hate speech forms a grey zone: content that escapes legal prosecution yet fuels intolerance and exclusion.
CHASE’s needs analysis report calls for investment in education and awareness-raising activities that promote gender equality and respect for all gender identities. It underlines the importance of stronger legal frameworks that hold digital platforms accountable for detecting and removing hate content, alongside the development of innovative tools to track and prevent abusive online behaviour.
A new digital tool and upcoming training to make change happen
CHASE is currently pilot testing an ICT tool designed in collaboration with professionals and journalists to identify misogynist and transphobic hate speech in real time. The aim is to go beyond technology and create a digital sphere where journalists, citizens, and institutions work together to make equality not only a personal value, but an everyday online reality.
The commitment of CHASE to address online gender-based hate aligns with the renewed European framework for equality and inclusion. In October 2025, the European Commission adopted the new LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, marking a new phase in the EU’s efforts to build a Union where diversity is recognised as a shared strength and everyone can live free from discrimination, exclusion, and violence.
The Strategy calls for stronger protection of LGBTIQ+ people against hate-motivated offences and harmful practices, increased support of equality bodies, empowerment of civil society, and the integration of LGBTIQ+ equality across all policy areas. In this context, CHASE contributes to these goals by promoting safer digital spaces, encouraging responsible media practices, and supporting communities in countering hate speech in all its forms.
To further counter gender-based hate and promote inclusive narratives online, CHASE is organising a free online training for journalists and media professionals. Taking place over three sessions to be held on 4, 6, and 11 November 2025, Stop Hate & Change will be led by Debora Barletta, international trainer and Co-Coordinator of the Rete Nazionale per il Contrasto ai Discorsi e Fenomeni d’Odio, who will share practical tools and real-life examples with the participants. Sign up to the training now.
About CHASE
CHASE – Combatting online Hate Speech by engaging online mEdia is a European project funded by the CERV Programme of the European Commission.
Partners
- Media Diversity Institute Global (Belgium, coordinator)
- Symplexis (Greece)
- Photo Thema (Greece)
- European Center for Human Rights (France)
- WAN-IFRA (France)
- CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION – CSI (Cyprus)
- APLHA TELEVISION (Cyprus)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR MARKET LEADERSHIP – ITML (Greece)
For further information
Read the project factsheet. Contact Luciano Cortese: luciano.cortese@cesie.org.
