Training on Online Gender-Based Violence for Women in Politics and Journalists
Date: 14th August 2023
Time: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Venue: Royal Tulips Hotel Nairobi
Introduction
KICTANet in partnership with GIZ is implementing a project on Online Gender Based Violence in Kenya. The Project has two parts one on qualitative and quantitative research on online gender-based violence in Kenya and capacity building on online gender-based violence for women in politics, journalists, law enforcement agencies and the LGBTQ+ community.
According to research conducted by Plan International, at least 58% of girls have experienced online harassment. Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) refers to any form of violence, harassment, or discrimination targeting individuals based on their gender identity or expression, which occurs in digital spaces. Unfortunately, women in politics and journalists are particularly vulnerable to such attacks due to their visibility and influential roles in society.
Last year, KICTANet with support from GIZ developed an e-learning module on online gender-based violence and conducted workshops aimed at building a community of practice on online safety. From last year’s project, we identified the need for customized training that addresses the needs of women in politics and journalists.
Background and Context
Gender-based violence against women, girls, boys and LGBTQ+ people is one of the most frequent human rights violations worldwide. Due to increasing digitalization and new framework conditions (including anonymity, automation, remote action, easy accessibility, and dissemination), some of these violence cases now take place online or are intensified within the digital sphere. Those affected are silenced by online violence and driven out of digital spaces. Many exercise self-censorship which has chilling effects on their right to freedom of expression and information, as well as the right to protection and security. In Kenya, general elections were held on 9th August 2022 and while women were running for political office in record numbers, they also reported disproportionately often being attacked online. A recent study on sexism and violence against women in African parliaments found that at least 42% of female parliamentarians have experienced hate speech and threats of violence online. In response to these developments, in July 2022, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted Resolution 522 on the Protection of Women Against Digital Violence in Africa which calls for the protection of women against digital violence.
Objectives of the training
The training seeks to meet the following objectives:
- To train participants on forms of online gender-based violence, it’s harms and digital security tips to mitigate their occurrence and/or impact.
- To offer psycho-social support to participants as well as mental health tips to assist other victims of online gender-based violence.
- Preventive measures: Develop strategies and tools to prevent OGBV and create safe online spaces for women in politics and journalists.
- Collaboration and advocacy: Foster partnerships among stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and tech companies, to collectively combat OGBV and advocate for policy changes.
Expected Outcomes
- Raised awareness about online gender-based violence among participants.
- Train participants on psycho-social support such as mental health tips to assist other victims of online gender-based violence.
- Raising Awareness about Online Gender-Based Violence in Kenya.
- Networking event for collaborations/partnerships between Civil Society, Tech companies, academia, government and development partners.
Format of the Event
The training shall be face-to-face and will take the form of lectures, group activities and exercises.
Participants
The meeting will aim to bring together at least 20 participants who are women journalists and women in politics passionate about women’s rights and youth governance and who influence conversations both online and offline, to enhance partnerships, sharing of knowledge and emerging best practices on women’s digital rights.
Programme
| Time | Item | Person Responsible |
| 7:00 – 8:00 am | Arrival and Registration (Signing of KICTANet Participation list) | KICTANet |
| 8:00 – 8:30 am | Brief Opening Remark | Ms. Grace Githaiga
CEO & Convenor of KICTANet |
| 8:30 am – 10:30 am | Forms of OGBV
Harms of OGBV |
Cecilia Maundu, Digital Security Expert and Podcast Host Digital Dada Podcasts |
| 10:30 – 11 am | TEA BREAK | KICTANet |
| 11:00 – 13:00 pm | Access to Justice for Survivors of OGBV
-Overview of law on OGBV -Criminal Procedures and Penalties for OGBV -Civil Remedies for OGBV -Quasi-judicial remedies for OGBV cases (reporting mechanisms on Social Media Platforms, and other government agencies) |
Marion Ogeto, Lawyer and Programs Officer at Equality Now |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | LUNCH BREAK | KICTANet |
| 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Mental Health Tips for Coping with Online Gender-Based Violence | Lowry Achieng |
| 4:00 pm -4:15 pm | Closing Remarks | Angela Minayo / liz Orembo |
| 4:15 pm -5:00 pm | Afternoon Tea
Participants leave at their own pleasure |
