SADC Youth Forum Tackles Digital Rights, Inclusion for Young People
Equality Now called on governments and international bodies to prioritize digital inclusion and protect young people's rights, particularly for young women facing disparities in the digital landscape.
HARARE, Zimbabwe— Young innovators and policymakers recently gathered at the 6th SADC Southern Africa Youth Forum to address digital rights and inclusion, coinciding with International Youth Day, writes Daphne Machiri.
The event, organized by Equality Now and the Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi), aimed to explore opportunities and challenges in digital technologies for Southern African youth.
Tsitsi Matekaire, Equality Now's Global Lead for Ending Sexual Exploitation, emphasized the need for youth-led advocacy in implementing the UN Global Digital Compact.
"It is of significance to promote a safe and inclusive digital landscape, where the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially children and young people, are safeguarded and respected," Matekaire said.
Speakers highlighted concerns about online gender-based violence. Aurra Kawanzaruwa from AfriDigital stressed the importance of digital empathy, noting, "African youth primarily access the digital world through social media platforms... There is much online violence, hence there is need to advocate for digital empathy."
Tanzanian MP Neeema Lugangira called for stronger legal measures against online gender-based violence, urging youth engagement with parliamentarians.
The forum produced recommendations for SADC member states to safeguard digital rights, including education reforms, legal changes, and increased investment in intergenerational dialogue platforms.
Equality Now called on governments and international bodies to prioritize digital inclusion and protect young people's rights, particularly for young women facing disparities in the digital landscape.