The Latin American Esports Institute (ILAE) released the Panel on Violence against Women in Games and Electronic Sports in Latin America 2026, one of the most comprehensive surveys on gender violence in the region’s gaming ecosystem.
Available free of charge in Portuguese and Spanish, the study brings together data on the experience of women who participate in digital games and eSports competitions in Latin American countries. In total, the survey received 335 responses between April and May 2026, with a predominance of participants between 16 and 34 years old.
The results indicate a worrying scenario for the development of the sector. Among the main data collected by the panel are:
- 89.3% of participants said they had already suffered violence or harassment in games or eSports;
- 87,9% said they had witnessed violence against women in online games;
- 75,4% consider this type of behavior very common in the gaming environment;
- 71,4% they believe that violence was naturalized by the community;
- Only 0.4% consider the gaming environment to be completely safe for women.
In addition to the frequency of cases, the survey points to direct impacts on women’s permanence in the sector. According to the survey, almost half of those interviewed reduced their participation in games and eSports after suffering episodes of violence. In other cases, participants avoided competitive environments or abandoned activities linked to the gaming universe.
The reports also show measures adopted to prevent further attacks. These include hiding gender identity, not using voice chats, withdrawing from competitive communities and withdrawing from championships, live broadcasts and content production.
Violence affects professional development in the sector
According to the ILAE, digital violence goes beyond the experience within games and directly impacts the training of talent and the professional development of women throughout the gaming and eSports chain.
The study identified impacts in different areas of activity, including professional athletes, narrators, casters, content creators, developers, researchers, managers and specialized communication professionals.
Another fact that caught the attention of researchers involves reporting mechanisms. Among the participants who reported episodes of violence, 78.9% said they had not received any response after reporting the cases. Furthermore, only 2.3% considered that their complaints were effectively resolved.
According to Carlos Gama, president of ILAE, the study seeks to expand the debate on digital citizenship, human rights and governance in online environments.
“The growth of electronic sports in Latin America directly depends on the construction of safe, inclusive and sustainable environments. There is no solid economic development in an ecosystem marked by exclusion and violence.”
The vice-president of the institute and professional CS2 athlete, Marcella “Cellax” Ferreira, states that the numbers reflect a reality known to women who work in the competitive scene.
“Violence doesn’t just affect the in-game experience. It destroys opportunities, drives away talent and compromises the training of future eSports professionals. When a woman stops competing, creating content or pursuing a career out of fear or exhaustion, the entire ecosystem loses.”
For Marianna Muniz, director of events at ILAE, the sector needs to move forward in building safer environments.
“It is not possible to talk about sustainable growth while women still need to hide their voices to be able to play or work safely. We need to transform the competitive environment into a more inclusive, safe and professional space.”
Study seeks to support inclusion and safety policies
The research had institutional support from the Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, the Rio de Janeiro State Federation of Electronic Sports (FERJEE), the Lusófona Network of Electronic Sports Researchers (RELUPE) and the Brazilian Magazine of Electronic Sports (RBDE).
According to the ILAE, the panel represents a milestone for the production of knowledge on human rights, inclusion and digital security in Latin American eSports. The objective is to contribute to the formulation of public policies, governance strategies and initiatives aimed at creating safer environments for women.
About ILAE
The Latin American Esports Institute (ILAE) works to develop eSports in Latin America through initiatives linked to research, sports integrity and governance, education, innovation, social inclusion, public policies and economic development.
Finally, the organization develops studies, projects and strategic actions aimed at strengthening games and eSports as relevant sectors for the creative economy, technology, education and social transformation in the region.
