In an increasingly connected world, digital harassment and hate speech have unfortunately become commonplace. This is why the Bisobasi Telema movement, in partnership with the Swiss embassy in the DRC, decided to act by organizing a conference at the Free Protestant University in Africa (ULPA) to raise awareness among students on the consequences and means prevention of these problems.
According to Elsie Lotendo, coordinator of the feminist movement Bisobasi Telema, students are the first users of digital tools and are often used for propaganda and harassment. The objective of this conference was therefore to ensure that students become actors of peace and security in the digital space.
The Bisobasi Telema movement, which campaigns for women’s rights and opposes all forms of violence against them, intends to continue its tour in other university establishments and organize training to strengthen the skills of young people in handling digital tools.
It is encouraging to note that the Democratic Republic of Congo has had a legal framework governing the digital sector since March 2023. This digital code, promulgated by the Head of State, aims to prevent and prosecute digital crimes while by protecting personal data.
It is essential to raise awareness among young people of the dangers of digital harassment and hate speech, because they are the first to be affected as avid users of new technologies. By giving them the tools to address these issues, we can hope to create a safer and more respectful digital space for everyone.