The advancement of technology has enabled us to connect and share important information. But it has also provided additional fertile grounds for gender-based violence against women and girls to an alarming extent, and with little accountability. It has fueled the perpetration of insidious harmful actions, often by partners and ex-partners but also anonymous individuals, perpetuating an environment in which violence against women and girls seems to be normalized by society. Lockdowns imposed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic only amplified this long-standing problem, with a high number of instances of online sexual abuse.
Every day, we hear about women and girls who have been victims of a non-consensual image or video sharing, intimidation, and threats via email or social media platforms, including rape and death threats, online sexual harassment, stalking, including the use of tracking apps and devices, as well as impersonation, and economic harm via digital means. Young girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse as well as bullying by their peers in the digital space.
As part of the Private Symposium Africa 2022, various institutions have come together to address Gender and Data through a Master Class to be held on the 2nd of November 2022. KICTANET and Unwanted Witness, Uganda will share their techniques with CSOs and media practitioners, on tips and tricks, and how organizations and the public can take advantage of the new opportunities presented by publicly existing data while safeguarding women’s online safety.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the pervasive collection and use of personal data, oftentimes their personal data is used to tarnish their dignity. While the digital era has provided new spaces for women’s expression, this comes with new forms of oppression, including but not limited to social surveillance and harassment through the violation of women’s privacy.
The Master class targets privacy experts, Representatives from civil society, and Women in media. Check out the event for registration on Eventbrite