Activists and civil society actors have explored ways to utilize online safe spaces as a tool to boost digital security. This was at the 2023 Peace Jam, on the occasion of the 2023 International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Organised by #defyhatenow, this year’s edition was hosted in two phases: online and offline, themed “online safe spaces for digital security”.
The first session held offline, took place at Place de l’independence on Saturday June 17. Performing to the amusement of the hundreds that showed up, were multiple music and dance groups including the International Mbaya Dance Group of Binka Kingdom.
They all performed melodies from different cultural regions of the country, passing across a message of peace and unity. The event, organisers noted, was aimed at engaging internally displaced persons and host community youths in mitigating hate speech in Cameroon.
At the second phase of the campaign, different civil society stakeholders took the floor to share experiences and methods for enhancing digital security for online spaces. The session was moderated by celebrated writer and literary figure, Valerie Viban and kicked off with an energetic performance by spoken word artist and activist, Penboy.
Among guests at the session was Ethiopian digital innovator, journalist and entrepreneur, Eden Tadesse who shared the Ethiopian experience for best practices for online safety for young people. She also talked on the need to develop mentorship programs for young people to learn healthy habits to create these safe online spaces.
Also partaking in the panel discussion was Digital Rights Activist, Baiye Frida who emphasized on the need to identify and highlight the role of women in such conversations. Safe spaces, she added, should also be able cater for needs particular to ladies: “When you talk about GBV more women will respond than men women go more towards aspects that will empower them something that they can learn from and change their lives positively…” she explained.
The session also touched on a range of happenings including digital policing by regimes in African countries such as Cameroon, Chad and Sudan. Other panelists included South Sudanese cyber security professional, Ariik Robert Ajack, and Cameroonian lawyer and cybercrime expert, Barrister Balbine Manga.
Thank you defyhatenow for the great work to bring peace in our country and the world.