Women and youth often face significant barriers to participating in online discussions on civic matters. They may experience harassment, intimidation, and cyberbullying, which can silence their voices and discourage them from engaging in public discourse. Women and youth may also face online censorship, limiting their ability to express their opinions and participate in political and development discussions that have both direct and indirect impacts on their lives.
These challenges highlight broader inequalities in access, safety, and participation within digital spaces.
Here are some of the challenges:
- In a small survey conducted by LP Digital, 27% of women surveyed reported having experienced cyberbullying and online harassment. At the same time, 67% of women indicated that they were unsure what cyberbullying is and were not aware of the actions they could take when they encounter it. This reflects a gap in both digital literacy and access to information on online safety and rights.
- In research conducted in 2021 on “Youth Engagement in Civic Matters through Social Media”, out of 627 respondents surveyed, 91% reported being active across multiple social media platforms. However, only 45% had ever engaged in dialogue on civic or development matters through these platforms.
- Youth in this survey highlighted the lack of dedicated platforms and spaces for engaging in civic matters, particularly platforms that use accessible formats and language that resonate with them.
- Youth also emphasized the need for content and narratives that allow them to engage in a “youthful” and relatable manner in matters of civic engagement and responsibility through online platforms.
- Additionally, youth identified online violence and bullying as key barriers that limit their willingness to be vocal or to participate in civic engagement through digital platforms.
It is crucial to involve women and youth in these dialogues because they constitute a significant proportion of the population, and their voices and perspectives must be represented in civic engagement processes. This ensures that public discourse and policy decisions are inclusive and reflective of diverse segments of society.
Including youth and women in civic engagement also contributes to a wider range of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to more responsive, innovative, and inclusive solutions to social, economic, and political challenges.
Project Objectives
- Empowering Women and Youth
The project aims to empower women and youth to participate more actively in online civic engagement by providing them with the necessary digital literacy skills, resources, and support to navigate online spaces safely and effectively.
- Promoting Inclusivity
The project aims to promote inclusivity in online civic engagement by ensuring that the voices of women and youth are heard and represented, and that online discussions reflect diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Co-creation and Platform Design
The project aims to co-create and design a platform that accommodates the voices of youth and women, while ensuring the protection of their identity and privacy.
- Advocacy and Awareness-Raising
The project aims to raise awareness on the importance of protecting and promoting the voices of women and youth in online civic spaces through advocacy campaigns and public awareness initiatives.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
The project aims to monitor and evaluate the impact of its activities on the participation and representation of women and youth in online civic engagement, and to use this evidence to continuously improve its approach.
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