Paradigm Initiative to host digital rights advocacy in 10 African countries

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a Pan-African social enterprise, on Friday said that it was set to host 10 African countries on a series of digital rights advocacy sessions tagged Digi-Talks.

Mr Valery Njiaba, Communications Officer, Paradigm Initiative, said in a statement that the host with Focus across 10 African countries using its short film Focus, a visual representation of its 2020 annual report called LONDA.

Njiaba said that it would highlight digital rights and inclusion infractions in 20 African countries.

He said that the Digi-Talks with Focus will run between Feb. 15th and March 7, 2022 in Cameroon, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.

According to him, it will feature the screening of Focus, a look at the findings of the LONDA report; an open conversation on the state of digital rights and inclusion; questions and answers; and debates aimed at enhancing digital rights in all the host countries.

“PIN will convene these sessions with local partners in each country, bringing together diverse audiences over half a day.”

“The sessions will also provide opportunities for engaging conversations and to make key recommendations to enhance digital rights on the continent.”

“To enhance digital rights and combat online violations in Africa, PIN will be presenting its tools of impact such as ripoti.africa a platform that enables online users to report digital rights violations in Africa,” he said.

According to him, this includes breaches of online privacy and ayeta.africa a toolkit for African digital rights actors.

Njiaba said that it was aimed at addressing the growing need to safeguard activists, journalists, whistleblowers and others working with sensitive information in the global South.

Our correspondent reports that Paradigm Initiative is a Pan-African social enterprise that works to connect underserved young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their rights.