KAMPALA, UGANDA – Young leaders, government officials, and digital safety advocates have sounded the alarm on the rising tide of online violence, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to protect young women and girls from the scourge of cyber abuse.
During a youth engagement session focused on creating safer digital spaces, participants underscored the critical role young people can play in promoting positive change and preventing online violence.
Osbon Turyasingura, Executive Secretary of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), urged young people to refrain from using online platforms to attack or demean others, emphasizing the importance of responsible digital citizenship. He challenged young people to leverage their numbers and influence to promote positive societal change, pursue self-education, and steer clear of ambitions that could lead to conflict.
Turyasingura highlighted Uganda’s robust frameworks for addressing gender-based violence (GBV), including the National Policy on the Elimination of GBV and its action plan. He emphasized that these frameworks provide a foundation for addressing online violence and encouraged young people to take ownership of creating a safer digital environment.
The youth engagement session served as a platform for young leaders to discuss strategies for mitigating online violence and promoting digital safety. Participants emphasized the need for collective action, involving governments, civil society, and individuals, to address the growing threat of online violence and ensure that digital spaces are safe and inclusive for all.
The event underscored the importance of empowering young people to become positive influencers and agents of change in their communities, promoting a culture of respect, empathy, and responsibility online.
