#FIFAfrica16 | See what we have lined up for the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2016. On 29 September, there will be a series sessions and the launch of the State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2016 report.


September 29
9.00-9.30 Recap of Day 1 and defining the objectives of Day 2
9.30-10.30 Session 5: Working against the normalisation of online violence against women
Unequal access to finance, education and tech devices are some of the obstacles many African women face to getting online. For many of those who go online, gender marginalization is common, perpetuating inequalities established offline but amplifying them through online anonymity of the perpetrators who could be located anywhere and without physical contact with the victim.
This session seeks to understand the intersection between women’s rights, internet freedom and governance and will also highlight recent innovations for women’s safety @Facebook.
Nashilongo Gervasius, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) (Moderator) | Zawadi Nyong’o, Digital Media Strategist | Martha Chilongoshi, Revolt Media Africa | Akua Gyekye, Facebook | Ray Mwareya, Freelance Journalist
Related hashtag: #CyberVAW
10.30-11.00 Q&A
11.00-11.30 Tea break
11.20-12.15 Session 6a:  Launch of State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2016 report
Related hashtag: #InternetFreedomAfrica
12.15-13.00 Session 6b: Researching Internet rights: Challenges & lessons
What goes into understanding the state of internet freedom in a country? Is information easily available? Can it be verified? Are people at liberty to talk about the gaps they see? Researchers of the 2016 State of Internet Freedom in Africa report narrate their experiences.
Panelists will represent the report focus countries of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.00 Session 7: Counting the cost of shutdowns
More African users are taking to social media and various other online tools to promote and sustain their Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including mobile money vendors, social media based enterprises as well as larger players like telecommunications companies and others for their daily communication needs. This group often goes unnoticed and unheard during social media shutdowns. Do we ever get to know the true economic cost of an internet shutdown? Do we ever get to understand the social impact it has in a community, SME and even at a national economic level? This is a candid discussion by representatives of global social media, telecommunications agencies and private sector actors on the economics of internet shutdowns and measures undertaken to protect operations.
Panelists:
Ebele Okobi | Facebook | Anthony Chigaazira, Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) | Wisdom Donko, National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Ghana | James Wire LunghaboICT4D & SME Business Consultant (Moderator)
Related hashtag: KeepItOn
15.00-15.30 Q&A
15.30-16.00 Tea break
16.00-17.00 Session 8: Towards Cyber security Strategies for African Countries
The threat of mass surveillance, infringement of public and media free speech by the state, and the excessive power granted to law enforcement agencies are amongst many of the concerns presented by cyber security related laws. This begs one to question whether online rights will be repeatedly trumped under the guise of cyber security. Through a series of thought provoking questions, this gray area of internet freedom will be explored by players involved in the development and monitoring of cyber security strategies at a national and international level.
Panelists:
Gbenga Sesan, PIN | Ife Osaga Ondondo, Google | Alexandrine Pirlot De CorbionPrivacy International (PI) (Moderator) | Jimmy Haguma, Uganda Police Force | Michael Lishebo, Cyber Security Practitioner, Zambia
Related hashtag: #AfricanInternetRights
17.00-17.30 Closing remarks
Issues arising/report back and closing remarks

 

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