How Can We Ensure The Digital Safety of Women?

In the modern world, the internet has become an essential component of our lives, but it has also developed into a venue for cybercrime. Regrettably, cyberbullying, harassment, stalking, and revenge porn target women more frequently. It is crucial to protect women online in Uganda, where internet usage is on the rise.

According to Pollicy, a baseline study conducted in 2020, 36% of women and girls in Uganda reported experiencing some form of online harassment. Receiving unwanted messages, images, or videos, cyberstalking, and having their personal information shared online without their consent are all examples of this.

As part of our womens’ month strategy, we hosted a Twitter space with Navina Mutabazi the Program Coordinator-Feminist Movement Building Programs | Pollicy, and Stella Kiwanuka the Human Resource Manager at Outbox Hub as the speakers, several means to combat online harassment against women were suggested including;

Teaching women about online safety: The first step in guaranteeing digital safety is to teach women about the dangers and safety measures they can take online. They should be taught how to make strong passwords, recognize phishing scams, and stay away from giving private information online. (Internews, 2019)

“70% of women are exposed to online gender-based violence. Upskilling is one of the ways through which they can protect themselves because although digital spaces have increasingly become popular, there is no education on how to effectively use them,” — Navina Mutabazi.

Increasing awareness of cybercrime is important since many women are not aware of its many forms and how they might become victims. Women can better defend themselves and report instances when they happen by increasing knowledge. (Pollicy, 2020)

Establish a victim support system since cybercrime victims could feel helpless and abandoned. By putting up a support network that includes counseling, legal assistance, and other services, victims can get the assistance they need to heal. Women of Uganda Network (2018)

Improve cybersecurity legislation: Uganda needs stronger cybercrime laws to make sure that offenders are held responsible for their activities. To create policies to stop cybercrime, the government also needs to collaborate with internet service providers. 2019 (Acan & Tusiime)

Promote reporting of cybercrime: Due to fear of reprisal or embarrassment, many women choose not to report cybercrime. To ensure that victims’ concerns are taken seriously and that the proper action is done, a safe reporting environment must be established. 2020 (Pollicy)

According to a Uganda Police Force report from 2019, 158 cases of cyber harassment and stalking of women were reported in Uganda, and of these, 88 resulted in arrests.

Stella Kiwanuka, the Human Resource Manager at Outbox Hub, emphasized the importance of gender equality in the fight against cybercrime in her submission. According to her, gender inequality makes women vulnerable to cybercrime; therefore, with authority and better tools, women can defend themselves from cybercrime while advocating for gender equality.

This is consistent with Outbox Hub’s company policy, where 70% of the team is female. Ms. Stella Kiwanuka also suggested ways for businesses and organizations to protect their employees from online gender-based harassment.

“As companies rally around narratives on women’s online safety, we need to encourage employees to be cautious about how they save their passwords by using password vaults, two-factor authentication, using firewalls to protect the information being shared, and sharing information that they are certain of or that will not cause harm,” — Stella Kiwanuka.

In their fight to promote digital rights and digital safety for all, Policy has conducted research and advocacy, providing digital security training to women and girls in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, working with legal partners to provide pro bono legal support to victims, and partnering with organizations working towards promoting digital rights and digital safety.

In conclusion, it will take a concerted effort from all parties involved, including the government, civic society, and individuals, to ensure the safety of women online in Uganda.?

We can build a safe and secure online environment where women can thrive by working together.