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The ITU in collaboration with the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children (UN SRSG VAC) have co-organized a virtual talk in celebration of the 10th anniversary of #GirlsinICT on 6th of May 2021 with the participation of different representatives in a moderated discussion portraying online safety context-specific challenges, opportunities, and limitations.
The event hosted ten panelists and leaders from across the globe to meet and discuss the importance of online safety and resolutions of how to enhance youth digital mental health and increase digital participation in a safe and protected online environment. The discussions involved some of the live online experiences of the young panelists including our Global Hub Senator and IBM Champion Lella Haloum.
This workshop drew on the need of providing connectivity for all in particular for females who have less access to the internet than their male counterparts. Although women, in general, have less access to the internet than men, the speakers highlighted that they have higher exposure to cyber-bullying and online targeted harassment, which causes a higher worldwide gender divide.
The diversity of the speakers representing various generations drove the conversation to address the significance of online safety practices and how the development of peer support between women can provide a safe online space for girls. In this second part, the conversation outlined the efforts of non-formal digital education focused on digital literacy and how programs -such as IBMZ digital learning journeys- working on digital skill-building for girls and offering them the chance to connect with like-minded female role models can empower these young girls to fight against gender-based online violence and explore the opportunities the digital space offers.
Discussion with invited experts ranging from child rights experts to young tech advocates from different organizations including IBMZ emphasized the role of social media and encouraged the usage of the power of social media channels on a large scale to leverage strategies of online rights protection for young people, specifically girls.
The discussion ended with thanking all participants and inviting them to be active in creating a more inclusive digital environment.
You can check our work to help girls and women inclusiveness in tech by providing free resources such as IBMZ learning Journeys. Check it out here! https://community.ibm.com/community/user/ibmz-and-linuxone/blogs/melissa-sassi1/2021/04/01/2-free-virtual-enterprise-computing-learning-journ
Don’t forget to check out the work of our collaborator ITU working towards involving key stakeholders and communities to encourage higher female involvement in STEM fields. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Digital-Inclusion/Women-and-Girls/Girls-in-ICT-Portal/Pages/GirlsInICTDay/2021/GICT-2021.aspx