Tackling OGBV to Promote Women’s Participation Online
Date: 8th March 2024, 1400 – 1730 hours
Venue: Invite-only event – must RSVP
Introduction
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, is pleased to host an in-person stakeholder dialogue on 8 March 2024 in commemoration of International Women’s Day. The conference will be held at Kofisi, Westlands.
Background and Context
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women of all backgrounds around the world. It is also a day to reflect on the challenges affecting the realization of gender equality. Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is the fifth of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out in the Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by UN Member States in 2015. As the 2030 deadline for the achievement of SDG5 draws nearer, technology continues to present new and evolving challenges, such as online gender-based violence (OGBV), that continue to derail the progress towards achieving SDG5 within the set timelines.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.”This is derived from the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women priority theme ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’. This theme recognizes the obstacles to achieving equal participation and calls for equal opportunities for women and girls to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead.
KICTANet and GIZ recognise that gender equality in online spaces continues to be one of the greatest human rights challenges. Online gender-based violence, privacy and cybersecurity challenges affect women disproportionately hence alienating and excluding them from fully enjoying the benefits that technology presents for political, social, cultural and economic empowerment. In light of this and the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, KICTANet has partnered with GIZ to foster dialogues, raise awareness, advocate and create recommendation resources that promote a safe and inclusive online environment for women in Kenya.
Objectives of the Stakeholder Dialogue
This stakeholder dialogue aims to provide a platform for engagement on the achievements and obstacles towards achieving safe and inclusive online spaces for women in Kenya. It shall also be an opportunity to discuss the impact of online gender-based violence, the existing policy interventions and areas for improvement, security and safety measures women can adopt while online and psychosocial support as a mechanism to support survivors of online gender-based violence.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding and engagement on the challenges faced by women online and opportunities for empowerment of women for full inclusion in online activities;
- Identified priority policy actions, potential solutions and best practices to promote women’s online participation; and
- Enhanced collaboration between stakeholders to advocate for policy reforms and support services.
Expected Output
The conference is expected to result in a comprehensive blog outlining the key policy issues and proposed recommendations to various stakeholders moving forward. The issues identified, and recommendations made shall inform areas to address in follow-up events throughout the year leading up to the 2024 International Women’s Day event.
Format of the Event
The event shall be a half-day conference with a keynote speech, three consecutive focus group discussions focusing on the different themes, and a joint plenary session.
Attendees
There were a maximum of 40 participants representing different stakeholder groups, including policymakers, civil society organizations, the technical community, women’s rights advocates, academia, relevant agencies and regulators, law enforcement, and judicial authorities.
About the Organizers
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a non-profit organisation that acts as a multi-stakeholder platform for ICT policy and regulation. KICTANet’s guiding philosophy encourages synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. As such, the network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry, technical community, academia, media, development partners, and Government.
Agenda
| Time | Item |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Registration with Tea, Coffee & Snacks |
| 11:00 – 11:05 | Welcome Remarks
Ms. Christin Schulz-Kaunga, Head of Programme, GIZ Kenya |
| 11:05 – 11:10 | Introduction to OGBV Activities
Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO, KICTANet (tbc.) |
| 11:10 – 12:10 | Focus Group Discussions on Aspects of Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV)
Group 1: OGBV Policy Frameworks in Kenya Group 2: Online Security and Safety Mechanisms Group 3: Psychosocial Support for Victims of OGBV |
| 12:10 – 12:30 | Summary of group discussions & next steps
One representative from each group Ms. Cherie Oyier, Programs Officer – Women’s Digital Rights, KICTANet |
| 12:30 – 13:00 | Coffee Break with Snacks & arrival of public event guests |
| 13:00 – 13:05 | Welcome Remarks to Event ‘Supporting Women’s Voices’
Mr. Bodo Immink, Country Director, GIZ Kenya (tbc.) |
| 13:05 – 13:15 | Special Addresses
H.E. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya (tbc.) H.E. Sebastian Groth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya (tbc.) |
| 13:15 – 13:25 | Introduction to the Film and the Topic of Postpartum Depression
Ms. Shirleen Wangari, Act of Love Film Producer |
| 13:25 – 13:50 | Act of Love Film Screening |
| 13:50 – 14:50 | Panel Discussion on Supporting Women’s Voices and Accelerating Gender Equity
Panellists: · Ms. Shelly Gitonga, Act of Love Scriptwriter · Ms. Mwixx Mutinda, Act of Love Lead Actress · Ms. Cherie Oyier, Programs Officer – Women’s Digital Rights, KICTANet · Mental Health Professional (tbc.) |
| 14:50 – 15:00 | Vote of Thanks
Mr. Bernd Lakemeier, Programme Director, GIZ Kenya (tbc.) |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | High Tea & Networking
Location: Atrium & terrace, 10th floor, KOFISI Square |
