Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) is working to create a pool of resources to help women netizens remain safe and secure online. They launched Hamara Internet (Our Internet) campaign to encourage use of Internet among women in Pakistan by teaching them how to protect their online rights. The initiative was selected as a Winner for Digital Empowerment Foundation’s 6th eNGO Challenge Awards under the Enablement and Empowerment category.
Cyber harassment and online violence is at an all-time high in Pakistan and the initiative especially focuses on why it’s important to not only be aware of one’s right to be free on the internet but also what must be done in order to make it a safe space.
The Hamara Internet initiative focuses on inclusivity and safety over the internet for every citizen regardless of their age, race, ethnicity or gender.
A cyber harassment helpline, which was started in 2018, focuses on providing legal aid, psychological help and digital security assistance. In the year 2018, DRF reached out to 14,900 direct beneficiaries through workshops, seminars, awareness sessions, close group discussions, conferences and trainings.
It has also received the Dutch Rights Tulip Awards on advocating for safer use of the internet. Their work has been presented as Top 10 Entrepreneurs at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA ) in 2018. Moreover, it has also received the I Am the Change Awards (IATC ) 2017 in the category of Social Development.