As part of our ongoing campaign to end all forms of violence against women and girls, Women for Change (WFC) conducted a powerful midweek awareness-raising session at St. Francis Nursery & Primary School in Nyuwa Boma, Ladu Payam.
The gathering brought together 110 participants, including 70 women, 21 girls, and 23 men, creating a vibrant and inclusive space for dialogue on the growing threat of digital violence in South Sudan.
Understanding the Hidden Risks of the Digital World
Digital spaces offer opportunities for learning, connection, and empowerment. However, they have also become new environments where women and girls face significant risks. During the session, facilitators highlighted key forms of online harm affecting communities today:
- Non-consensual sharing of photos: Many women and girls have their images taken without permission and circulated online, leading to humiliation, blackmail, or community stigma.
- Online grooming and exploitation: Girls continue to face manipulation, deceptive relationships, and exploitation through social media and messaging platforms.
- Limited access to phones for women: The exclusion of women from owning or controlling mobile phones leaves them vulnerable, unable to report abuse, access information, or seek support.
- Lack of family guidance on phone use: Facilitators stressed that families must guide their children, especially girls, on responsible digital behavior. Parents and caregivers were encouraged to nurture young girls with love, protection, and understanding, rather than shame or punishment.
Community Voices Leading the Call for Change
Throughout the session, teachers, mothers, and local women leaders shared powerful testimonies and reflections. They emphasized that digital safety is no longer optional; it is essential.
Their message was clear: “For South Sudan to achieve inclusive growth and uphold human dignity, the digital world must be safe for women and girls”.
Participants also discussed collective strategies to protect young people, including community monitoring of harmful online behaviors, early reporting of abuse, and empowering girls through education and digital literacy.
A Collective Responsibility to Act Now
The session concluded with a strong, unified call for action. Ending digital violence requires partnership between families, schools, community leaders, men, boys, and women alike.
At Women for Change, we remain committed to equipping communities with the knowledge, tools, and support systems needed to ensure that technology becomes a force for empowerment, not harm.