Advocates Lilian Olivia Orero and Nighat Dad discuss the scale of online harassment faced by women. They share strategies to combat cyberbullying in Pakistan and Kenya, highlighting the need for digital literacy programs and government actions. The podcast explores women's resilience in reclaiming digital spaces, promoting safe online practices, and the challenges of implementing technology in conservative societies like Pakistan.
Women in Pakistan face restricted access to technology due to societal surveillance, exacerbating cyber harassment issues.
Initiatives in Kenya and Pakistan focus on promoting digital literacy and legal support to combat gender-based cyber harassment.
Deep dives
The Gender Disparity in Online Harassment
Women are significantly more at risk of cyber harassment than men. In Pakistan, women's access to technology is limited, with social surveillance often restricting their online activities. Similarly, in Kenya, the internet was considered a luxury, leading to limited exposure to technology. The cultural stigma attached to women expressing themselves online poses challenges. Initiatives like the Digital Rights Foundation in Pakistan and Safe Online Women Kenya aim to combat cyber harassment in culturally specific ways.
Challenges Faced in Bridging the Digital Divide
There exists a significant digital divide between rural and urban women in countries like Kenya, where women may require permission to access essential technology like smartphones. In Pakistan, societal norms can lead to extreme consequences for women engaging in online platforms. Accessibility goes beyond technology; it encompasses societal attitudes towards women's online presence. Initiatives focus on empowering women and providing legal support to combat cyber harassment.
Empowering Women Through Technology and Education
Efforts in Kenya and Pakistan aim to promote digital literacy and address gender-based cyber harassment. Initiatives like the Safer Mobile App leverage AI and machine learning to combat cyberbullying. Women in these countries are encouraged to understand online safety measures, report harassment, and engage in supportive digital communities. The journey towards safer online spaces involves a holistic approach, combining technology, education, community support, and legal advocacy.
Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to Lilian Olivia Orero and Nighat Dad about the scale of harassment women face on the internet.
Lilian Olivia Orero is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, award-winning writer and champion of women’s digital rights. She is the founder of the community-based organisation SafeOnlineWomen-Kenya. Lilian Olivia recently served as the youngest person on a UN led programme aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and founder of Digital Rights Foundation, a charity organisation focused on cyber harassment, data protection and free speech online in Pakistan and South Asia. As a feminist and pioneer for women's rights activism in Pakistan, Nighat has raised awareness of Pakistani patriarchy.
Produced by Emily Naylor
(Image: (L) Lilian Olivia Orero, credit Daniel Samwel. (R) Nighat Dad, courtesy of Nighat Dad)
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