Digital Democracy Project

The internet is like a vast library, but without the right guidance, it’s easy to get lost in the pages. As we navigate the digital age, it’s crucial to equip our children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe online. To address this need, BARO (Bridge Africa Research Organisation) and ISOC (Internet Society, Uganda Chapter) are jointly organizing a one-day digital camp, “Advancing Child Online Safety in Uganda,” scheduled for April 24th, 2025, at Fort Portal SSS. A Safe Online Environment for All “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” (Eleanor Roosevelt) Our children are the future, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their online experiences are safe and positive. The digital camp aims to create awareness among young internet users on how to stay safe online, focusing on the following topics: Advancing Child Online Safety in Uganda: Keynote speech by Ms. Grace Mbabazi, the Probation, Social and Welfare Officers (PSWOs), Fort Portal Tourism City Cyberbullying Prevention: How to identify, report, and prevent online harassment Knowledge on Online Safety: Interactive quiz to test participants’ understanding Real-Life Stories and Case Studies: Sharing personal anecdotes and experiences on online safety issues Learning from Each Other “When you pray, move your feet.” (African Proverb) Let’s work together to promote online safety in Uganda. The event will bring together student leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss and share insights on advancing child online safety. Empowering the Next Generation “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” (African Proverb) By equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely, we can empower them to become responsible digital citizens. The digital camp will provide a platform for participants to engage with experts, share experiences, and learn from each other. Our Target Audience and Aim Our audience will be 50 student leaders at Fort Portal SSS. The aim of this seminar is to equip young internet users with the knowledge and skills to stay safe online, enabling them to become responsible digital citizens and promoting a safer online environment in Uganda. Collaboration for a Safer Online Community “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” (Phil Jackson) The partnership between BARO and ISOC demonstrates the power of collaboration in promoting online safety. By working together, we can create a safer online environment for all Ugandans, especially children.

The notion that upraising women means undermining men is a pervasive misconception that has persisted for far too long. This misguided thinking has led to a misguided narrative, where the advancement of women is seen as a threat to the status quo, rather than a necessary step towards a more equitable society. As the African proverb goes, “When you empower a woman, you empower a nation.” This wisdom highlights the transformative impact that women’s empowerment can have on communities and societies. The Zero-Sum Game Fallacy At the heart of this misconception lies the zero-sum game fallacy. This flawed logic assumes that the empowerment of women must necessarily come at the expense of men. In other words, if women gain, men must lose. However, this is a false dichotomy. The empowerment of women is not a zero-sum game, where one gender’s gain must come at the expense of the other. As Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” This quote emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth, and the need to challenge and overcome outdated and misguided thinking. The Reality: Empowering Women Benefits Everyone In reality, empowering women has a positive impact on society as a whole. When women are given equal opportunities, they are able to contribute their skills, talents, and perspectives to the table. This leads to more diverse and inclusive decision-making, driving innovation, economic growth, and social progress. For example, a study by McKinsey found that companies with diverse workforces are more likely to outperform their less diverse peers. This highlights the economic benefits of empowering women and promoting diversity and inclusion. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a woman to fish, and you feed a community for a lifetime.” This proverb emphasizes the importance of empowering women and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Empowering women has numerous benefits. Improved economic outcomes are a direct result of women’s participation in the workforce, leading to increased economic growth, reduced poverty, and improved living standards. Women’s empowerment also promotes social inclusion, reduces inequality, and fosters a more cohesive society. Furthermore, women’s empowerment leads to improved health outcomes, including reduced maternal mortality, improved reproductive health, and increased access to healthcare. Finally, women’s empowerment leads to increased political representation, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their interests represented. As Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, once said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” This quote highlights the transformative impact that education and empowerment can have on individuals and societies. Conclusion Uprising women does not mean undermining men. Rather, it means recognizing the inherent value and worth of women, and providing them with equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and thrive. By empowering women, we are not taking away from men, but rather, we are creating a more just, equitable, and prosperous society for all. As the wise words of Nelson Mandela remind us, “For a woman to be empowered is for her to be given the tools and the support to be able to make her own decisions and to be able to fulfill her own potential.” This quote emphasizes the importance of empowering women and providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed.