GIDICom challenges online users to respect rights of women online

GIDICom challenges online users to respect rights of women online

By Ngekwi Eunice

GIDICom Executive Director flanked by Members Rose Akah Obah far left Ignatius Nji far right

Active online users in the North West region of Cameroon end 11 days of online activism to end violence against women on the internet and online spaces as well as to discourage fake news, hate speech and misinformation. The campaign is christened #Act4peace237 under the #Defyhatenow campaign, a campaign that aims at creating public awareness on the dangers of misinformation, fake news, violence against women and hate speech in Cameroon.

Very often, violators resort to creating Photoshoped images of women in nude pictures and videos which they threaten to publish them on social media for the world to see if they are not given a ransom. Global Initiative for digital Inclusion and Communication, a online and offline rights based civil society organization run by Journalist and gender activist Pedmia Shatu Tita belives such acts are  great violations of human rights and causes hate and disdain on the online economy.

The executive director of GIDICom says, “the narrative keeps changing, there is an increasing violence against women which is going under-reported and the women are being victimized everyday as they go about their activities in the digital world. For many women, the Internet is not a safe space. Although social media platforms in particular have become a critical space for women to express themselves and make their voices heard, they have also become spaces where women are easily targeted for expressing their views. Online violence and abuse denies women the right to express themselves equally, freely, and without fear.”

This campaign witnessed daily messages on the challenges faced by women online on various online platforms ranging from twitter, facebook, whatsapp and instergram. There was also a fireside event on Saturday January 25, 2020 to to enable women among them women with special needs to express themselves by telling their stories so their voices can be heard. Moderated by Madame Rosaline Obah Akah, she called on the women to engage in the discussions without fear of victimization. “This is a heart to heart talk and so I urge you all to feel at home” She told the women. 

Women at the fireside evet

The Executive Director of GIDICom Pedmia Shatu Tita applauded the efforts made by the women to show up for the talks particularly at a time when there is growing insecurity in the region. She explained the concept of #DefyHateNow and #Act4peace237 of taking little but civil steps towards a #HateFree online and offline space. She urged them to begin by advocating peace in their small spheres of influence when solving solving little misunderstandings.

As the Campaign ends today, online users are expected to continue to ring the bell against online and offline violence.

Below are some of the Campaign messages that ran on various social media platforms within the week

#Act4peace237 Campaign

There are many things that make us angry and we go online throwing hateful words on others. It is most often facilitated by the fact that we are shielded by our phones and computers and we sit behind our keyboards sending the venom not minding who is at the receiving end and the consequences.

Online beefing is so common but has solved no problem rather, it has strained relationships.

We all must learn on better ways to manage conflict online in order to create a friendly and just online community for all its occupants. Let us therefore join GIDICom in the

#Act4peace237 Campaign to

#DefyHateNow and

#spreadlove for a

#HateFreeCameroon

#Act4peace237 Campaign

Can you be proud of the chats you have had with people over time on your social media platforms void of hate, discrimination, bullying, stalking, name calling etc? We all are guilty of having said some hateful and hurtful things to others knowingly or unknowingly.

Yes assuming we did that unknowingly how have you been able to change the narratives? We must all choose our diction so that once they go out, they don't leave a painful scar on others.

Hence, join the #Act4peace237 Campaign to

#DefyHateNow

#spreadlove for a

#HateFreeCameroon

#Act4peace237

As social media users we must learn to respect the views of others, share our opinions in a constructive manner and generate content that will go a long way to build.

Join GIDICom in the Campaign by using the following hashtags;

#Act4peace237

#Defyhatenow

#Letlovelead

#HateFreeCameroon

For more on the #Act4peace237 and #Defyhatenow campaign, visit GIDICom Facebook Page  @GIDICom

https://www.facebook.com/101377744657473/posts/139009537560960/