11 May 2022

Societal security and safety in digital spaces has become a growing concern as more and more people go online. 

Digital technologies are also continuing to touch  every life aspect owing to billions of devices connected to the internet.

On the other hand, it would seem girls are increasingly becoming vulnerable to cyber-attacks.  It was against this backdrop that Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe launched and embarked on a campaign, Cyber Smart Girls, with a view to take girls through cyber networking so to consider carefully its favourable and unfavourable factors and make sensible decisions in using it.

“This is because more and more of us use the internet to make payments, learning, communicating and sending material hat presents an opening for cyber criminals to move in. It is thus imperative that we learn to stay ahead of their tricks,” said Ms Molefe as she launched the Cyber Smart Girls campaign on Tuesday.

To kick start the campaign aimed at promoting cyber-security awareness among adolescent girls, which is also part of her ‘Lo Ojwa Le Sale Metsi’ drive, the beauty queen addressed 300 young girls, all in effort to make a difference in their lives.

Molefe also emphasised the growing need for cyber security awareness in the society, particularly among young girls, thus Cyber Smart Girls would go a long way in promoting safe and secure online behaviour.

“The internet is great because it can be used for research, shopping, socialising, applications and the campaign aims to have young girls safely enjoy all conveniences that the internet brings. As young girls you therefore need to use the internet wisely, authenticate stuff, learn the rules and know their game,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Silvia Bopp-Hamrouni, who is deputy ambassador, head of the political, press and information section at the European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC, also addressed the 300 girls.

Ms Bopp-Hamrouni indicated that cyber-attacks continued to be a growing phenomenon, hence the EU’s move to partner with the civil society to help people recognise the importance of adopting cyber hygiene practices.

“As we familiarise ourselves with the Internet, we must learn to also use it safely. 

This is essential, especially for girls and young women, because online abuse impacts them in a disproportionate manner,” she said.

The Cyber Smart Girls campaign, she said, was designed to teach girls and young women about both the risks of the internet as well as precautions they could take to protect themselves.

“As the name of the campaign suggests, it requires that you, as young girls, need to learn and think twice before you post or share anything on Facebook or other social media platforms. You also need to learn how to protect your accounts and avoid traps,” she added.

She also said the campaign was one example of the work carried out by the EU- funded Cyber4Dev project to help Botswana government as well as Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) to establish a safe and resilient cyber space and develop national cyber security capacities.

“EU will continue raising awareness on issues linked to GBV, engaging with government and supporting relevant civil society organisations,” Ms Bopp-Hamrouni said. Ends