Pray you are well. Your ideas are welcome to engage Sadaf Khan (copied) and team from the Kenyan perspective. How might the online be a safer, equitable space for women? Women online (and child safety) have formed key discussions in the overall Internet Governance discussions. “online abuse and gender based violence can, among other things, limit women’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities that ICTs provide for the full realisation of women's human rights, act as a barrier to access that can exacerbate the gender digital gap, often violate women’s human rights, and reaffirm and reproduce gender stereotypes”. Thus, countering online abuse and gender-based violence is essential for both inclusivity and sustainability. With the Kenyan elections 2017 around the corner, women aspirants online is one area where we experience the lifting of physical abuse into the online space with no recourse (or just brushed off). I recall Fadzai Madzingira of Facebook mentions that this is an area of FB focus. Fadzai may also kindly add to the discussion shedding light on what we expect to see (or is happening) specifically for "protection" of women aspirants online (and female voters) or safeguarding their online rights and equity or good practices elsewhere. With thanks! Be blessed. Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". On Tuesday, 6 December 2016, 23:22, Sadaf Khan <[email protected]> wrote: Dear all, We are hosting a design thinking workshop on finding technological solutions to counter gender based harrasment online. The session is scheduled tomorrow (8-12-16) at 12:00pm in Workshop Room 16. People interested in brainstorming on technology based solutions are invited to join. Details of the session below:Countering gender based abuse online has been one of the key challenges that hinder optimal use of the Internet and other digital technologies. In the report of best practice forum on online abuse and gender based violence against women found that “abuse and gender-based violence against women, whether perpetrated online or offline, is difficult to address because of the attitudes, stereotypes and beliefs that underpin the issue. In an online context, such efforts are further complicated because responses need to be implemented within the global context of the Internet and with the cooperation of a multitude of stakeholders”. As the BFP’s report highlights the abuse against women remains disproportionate and technology at times becomes a tool, being used to commit, abet or aggravate different forms of violence against women.As noted in BFP on Countering Abuse report, “online abuse and gender based violence can, among other things, limit women’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities that ICTs provide for the full realisation of women's human rights, act as a barrier to access that can exacerbate the gender digital gap, often violate women’s human rights, and reaffirm and reproduce gender stereotypes”. Thus, countering online abuse and gender-based violence is essential for both inclusivity and sustainability. Enabling women to participate equally online would help create an environment which allows for the optimal use of the Internet and also help women access equal opportunities for growth and development in today’s digital, networked society.The session takes the design thinking approach to understand, analyse and find solutions for gender based abuse and harrasment online. Regards,Sadaf KhanDirector ProgramsMedia Matters for Democracy ____________________________________________________________