Activist Hanadi Noaman warns: Online extortion in Yemen threatens girls and calls for urgent action.

Yemeni activist Hanadi Noaman sparked controversy over the growing issue of electronic blackmail targeting girls in Yemen, warning of the severe psychological and social impacts these crimes have on victims.

Hanadi Noaman

In a post on her Facebook page, Noaman stated that “electronic blackmail has become an alarming phenomenon in Yemen, where many girls face pressure and threats from individuals who exploit technology for malicious purposes.”

She explained that “a girl’s reputation and her family’s standing in Yemen’s conservative society make girls more susceptible to blackmail, especially when their accounts are hacked or their personal information is stolen.”

Noaman added that “blackmailers use this information to coerce girls into giving them money or complying with their demands. These threats often come with the risk of publishing private photos or videos, causing significant psychological distress for the girls, and in some cases, leading to isolation or even suicide.”

She called for increased awareness among girls and their families on how to protect themselves online and encouraged them to report blackmail cases rather than give in to the demands.

Noaman also urged for stricter enforcement of laws and legal measures to protect girls and punish blackmailers severely, stressing that “these crimes require a firm response from the authorities.”

Victims of electronic blackmail in Yemen face numerous challenges, including fear of stigma and retaliation, lack of trust in the security services, and the weakness of the legal framework to protect them.

Hanadi Noaman emphasized that addressing this issue requires the collective efforts of society, starting from families and schools to the media and relevant authorities.

The threat of electronic blackmail remains a significant danger to Yemeni girls, necessitating focused efforts to combat it and protect those at risk.