From May 13–16, HER Internet brought together a vibrant and fearless community of activists, feminists experts, and creatives for our #DigitalFutures Convention. With generous support from the Legal Empowerment Fund (LEF), this three-day gathering offered space for learning, dreaming, and strategizing about feminist and queer digital futures. Held just outside Kampala, the Convention created an […]
A growing number of digital rights groups warn against Uganda’s move to expand social media surveillance ahead of the 2026 elections. On April 8th, 2025, the Daily Monitor reported that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is moving forward with procuring a social media monitoring tool. While the government frames this as a public safety measure […]
Throughout March 2025, HER Internet marked International Women’s Day 2025 with a month-long campaign, centered on the theme #AccelerateAction to close the gender digital divide and create inclusive, safe, and empowering online spaces for structurally silenced womxn in Uganda. With a mix of weekly content, community engagement, real stories, and short videos, the campaign broke […]
According to UN Women, over 44% of Ugandan womxn have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This means that nearly half of all womxn in the country have faced harassment, surveillance, cyberstalking, or other forms of online abuse. The reality is even harsher for structurally silenced womxn who are often targeted simply for existing in digital spaces. […]
Happy New Year from HER Internet! We’re excited to share our 8th Edition Biannual newsletter—a recap of our achievements and key moments from the second half of 2024. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: Strengthening Digital Safety: Follow-up Training For Cohort 3. #HERInternetAt6: Ilga Software Update Project in Commemoration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Media […]
In November 2024, HER Internet took part in the African School on Internet Governance (#AfriSIG2024), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized by Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Mulungi Sanyu, Communications and Advocacy Lead at HER Internet, joined over 16 African countries’ participants including civil society, technical experts, government representatives, academia, the media, the private sector, […]
Good day everyone,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I speak on behalf of HER Internet as we celebrate six remarkable years of impact. Six years of resilience, learning, and unwavering commitment to supporting womxn in navigating the digital world with confidence, security, and freedom.
When we started this journey, we knew that the online space, like every other sphere, could both empower and threaten. Our mission was clear: to ensure that womxn are not just participants but leaders, equipped with the knowledge and tools to safeguard our voices and identities. And today, I’m proud to say we have made strides in creating safer spaces for womxn online and building a future where our voices are heard without fear or compromise.
Through digital security awareness workshops and campaigns, media literacy programs, and advocacy for online freedom of speech, we have empowered thousands of womxn to protect themselves and demand their rights. We’ve also stood firm against online violence, working tirelessly to confront harassment, misinformation, and abuse that disproportionately affect womxn including LBQ womxn and other queer identities, sex workers, womxn living with disability, womxn living with HIV/AIDS.
This work would not have been possible without the support of our incredible community – our partner organisations, staff, supporters and of course, the communities of structurally silenced womxn whose courage inspires us every day. Each of you has been essential to building this movement. Together, we are reclaiming the digital space as a place for equality, expression, and opportunity.
But our journey is far from over. As technology evolves, so do the challenges, and we must continue adapting. We remain committed to expanding our reach, building stronger networks, and advocating for policies that center womxn’s voices in digital rights conversations.
Thank you all for being part of this mission. Let’s continue working together to ensure a digital future where every womxn, no matter where they are or what their circumstances are, can thrive safely and freely. Here’s to many more years of progress and impact!
Thank you.
To download the full statement via; https://www.herinternet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HI-6th-Anniversary.pdf
In a recent episode of #WomenSpeaking on Civic Space Tv, a panel hosted by Danita Turiho featuring inspiring women leaders including our Executive Director at HER Internet, Sandra Kwikiriza, delved into pressing issues of the digital gender divide and it’s impacts on womxn, this conversation brought to light the realities womxn face in digital spaces.
The digital gender divide refers to the growing disparity between men and womxn in access to technology, digital literacy and opportunities within the digital economy. Womxn, particularly for structurally silenced communities, often face structural barriers like cultural norms, financial constraints and lack of infrastructure that limit their engagement with digital tools and platforms, resulting in lost opportunities for education, employment and advocacy.
Sandra Kwikiriza emphasized the systemic barriers that prevent womxn from fully embracing the digital world. “It’s not just about owning a device,” she explained, “the high prices of buying internet, the cost of buying a mobile device coupled with economic inequalities that disproportionately affect womxn from accessing internet especially in rural areas” which underscores the complex interplay of factors that contribute to digital exclusion in Uganda.
In this episode, the panel explored the roots of this divide, shedding light on the various ways it perpetuates inequality driven by cultural barriers, lack of education, and discriminatory policies. They also discussed the potential solutions such as, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, education of the available digital tools, policy reforms to bridge the gender gap. Their insights are not only eye-opening but also serve as a call to action for governments, private sectors and civil society organizations to work together to ensure that womxn can fully and freely participate in the digital environment.
This episode offers a timely reflection on the critical role digital access plays in empowering womxn and driving gender equality. For everyone interested in understanding the impacts of digital exclusion on womxn and how to close the gap, this conversation is a must-see.
Connect with the conversations via: https://youtu.be/F1Ydekcz2bQ?si=hc1A29U3ugJrQp0M
The 11th Annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica2024), co-hosted by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and AfricTivistes, took place from September 25-27 in Dakar, Senegal. This marked the first time the flagship event was held in Francophone Africa, emphasizing the region’s growing role in shaping Africa’s […]
On September 11–12, 2024, HER Internet was honored to attend the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF), convened under the theme “Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for East Africa.” The forum hosted in Uganda, brought together a dynamic mix of policymakers, civil society organizations, tech innovators, academics, media and private sector leaders. This year’s #EAIGF […]