The Forum for Internet Freedom in Africa hosted by Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa kicked off on 28th September 2022. Interestingly the rights of persons with disabilities took centre stage as participants called for more inclusion online. Here is a summary of some of the sessions that we attended on Day 1
Scenario Personas
The Guardian Project conducted an engaging session on persona scenarios that will help them create open-source software applications that enable communities to communicate securely and meet their needs be it to tackle disinformation etc. This human centered approach put’s people needs at the heart of the design of the applications. You can access their applications here.
Censorship Measurements for All
Jigsaw a unit at Google presented on the censorship measurement tools available. It was interesting to learn the difference between detection and interference of internet connection. Jigsaw called for a multi-stakeholder approach in measuring censorship beyond just the technical aspect for instance contextual factors.
Cyber-Security for Who? A human Centered Approach to Cyber Security
This session highlighted the output from the Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies 2021-2025 on Multi-stakeholder Consultation on African Participation in the OEWG on ICTs in Lilongwe, 6th to 18th July 2022. The panelists called for cyber security policy discussions that are rights respecting and put people as the main stakeholder in cyber security. For instance, there is a move towards focusing on behaviors that put people at risk of cyber attacks instead of just focusing on cyber security training. You can read KICTANet’s statement on the Open Ended Working Group on Security and the Use of ICTs here
Angela Minayo is KICTANet’s Women’s Digital Rights Programs Officer. Her interests are on mainstreaming gender and inclusion of structurally marginalised groups online and in internet governance processes.
