Think Twice CyberSmart Girls Campaign to bridge risk that girls suffer online

Girls are more likely to be targeted as victims of cybercrime than boys, with a 27 percent more chance of getting abused online.

With the growing phenomenon of cyber attacks that are disproportionately affecting girls and young women, the European Union in collaboration with e- Botho this week launched The Think Twice CyberSmart Girls Campaign.

The campaign is designed to teach girls and young women about both the risks of the Internet and the precautions they can take to protect themselves. Addressing about 300 at the Campaign launch in Livingstone Kolobeng College, Deputy Ambassador, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section at the European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC, Silvia Bopp- Hamrouni said girls and young women should think twice before they post, or share anything on Facebook or other social media platforms. They should also learn how to protect their accounts and avoid traps. “This campaign is only one example of the work carried out by the EU- funded Cyber4Dev project to help the government of Botswana and BOCRA to establish a safe and resilient cyberspace and develop national cyber security capacities,” she said.

The EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC, through their various programmes, support and protect victims of gender- based and domestic violence. “We will continue raising awareness on issues linked to GBV, engaging with Government and supporting relevant civil society organisations,” she said, adding that all this is aimed at combating all forms of gender- based and domestic violence against women and girls, including internet- based forms of abuse and harassment.

Ambassador Bopp- Hamrouni emphasised that the global economy is changing faster than ever before and one of the main drivers of that change is technology. She said from health and energy, through science and technology, to logistics and retail, no sector is untouched by the advantages, solutions, and opportunities that the internet has created. Businesses, banks, utility services, and government agencies here in Botswana now rely on IT systems to provide a flow of information that enables fast delivery of services.

But, as with everything, this relatively new technology brings risks.

“As more and more people move online – and it is estimated that there are now 50 billion devices connected to the internet – cyber- attacks are a growing phenomenon, as is online abuse in the form of GBV,” she said, adding that these attacks do not stop at big business or government.

“Our personal social media systems and phone apps can also leave us more vulnerable to cyberattacks.” One of The Think Twice CyberSmart Girls Campaign trainees, Tshiamo Mphusu told Botswana Guardian that the risks and dangers of cyberspace are real and girls experience them daily.

Mphusu, an Electrical Engineering Finance student at the University of Botswana said most disturbing is that some girls use the internet inappropriately without thinking of the repercussions.

“This programme teaches us that we need to be vigilant and smart when navigating the internet,” she said. A University of Botswana Computing with Finance student Odirile Modisa said girls can no longer recklessly expose themselves to the internet because there are real dangers.

She concurred that while the internet has brought with it progress in terms of connecting the world, people, particularly girls should be extra careful.

“You just need to be wise when on the internet.” Morati Segwe, also a Computing with Finance student at UB said becoming part of the campaign was a no- brainer because she is pursuing a technology- related course. She encouraged all girls with access to the internet to be aware of the risks and dangers and most importantly know what to do when in danger. Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology, Cecil Masiga told young girls in attendance that while the internet is a good resource, they should nevertheless stay vigilant.

“You need to know that there are sharks out there who are looking for an opportunity to sexually exploit you and take advantage of you. Do not allow anyone to exploit you on the internet,” he said, adding that there are some incidents where young girls are groomed and eventually exploited sexually. Masiga encouraged young girls to explore careers in cyber security because currently there are about 200 professionals in the industry in Botswana but 5000 are needed.