According to Sky Broadband data, 3 out of 4 women gamers under 25 indicated that they had experienced abuse when gaming online

According to Sky Broadband data, 80% of women gamers under 25 who had experienced abuse indicated that the abuse was of a sexual nature

Sexist abuse is prominent in gaming and creates a hostile environment, leading to self-censorship, and discourages women players from participating or enjoying the experience. It can negatively impact the wellbeing of women gamers and those who witness it

Misogyny has a negative mental and physical impact on the women targeted as well as the broader gaming community. It also affects those working within the gaming industry in similar ways

This can include verbal abuse, sexual harassment, online stalking, racist abuse and exclusion from gaming communities. Woman also face stereotypes and assumptions about their gaming abilities or interests, and can be treated unequally

They can also contribute to a sense of isolation and feelings of powerlessness. Additionally, repeated exposure to sexist and abusive language can lead to desensitisation, making it harder for women to recognise and address sexist abuse in their daily lives

They also promote toxic gaming environments by fueling aggression, hostility, exclusion and a culture of toxicity that can negatively impact player experiences

When female characters are consistently sexualised or portrayed as subservient to male characters, it reinforces the misconception that females are in some way submissive and only exist to entertain or please males

Discrimination against women gamers can result in a lack of inclusion and diversity within gaming communities and the industry as a whole

Discriminating against and excluding women from gaming results in the loss of unique talent, diverse perspectives, as well as valuable creativity. Some of the best gamers and developers are women and the risk of losing them through discrimination is unacceptable, and a huge loss for gaming

Game developers are slowly recognising the importance of addressing misogyny and sexism in their games and gaming communities, but unfortunately there is still a long way to go before women feel valued and welcomed

Raising awareness of the issue can attract like-minded supporters and helps to create momentum for meaningful change