Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) has announced the launch of first-ever Cyber Harassment Helpline of Pakistan. The helpdesk will go LIVE from 1st December 2016.
Earlier in the month, the Founder and CEO of DRF Pakistan Nighat Dad won Human Rights Tulip Award 2016. Additionally, she was also given a prize money of €100,000 ($111000). After receiving the prize money and the award, she publicized her upcoming plans of utilizing the cash award by launching Pakistan’s first-ever Cyber Harassment Helpline. It is not even a month and Nighat Dad has fulfilled her promise by announcing the launching date of the helpline.
A status on DRF’s official Facebook page stated:
“It will provide a free, safe, and confidential service to victims on online harassment. The Helpline aims to provide legal advice, digital security support, psychological counselling, and a referral system to victims”
On Monday (28th November 2016), the launch of the helpline was officially revealed in ‘Ending Online Violence against Women’ conference by Hamara Internet campaign of Digital Rights Foundation. The objective of the helpdesk is to provide free, secure and digital environment for women.
If you are a victim of online harassment, you can report the issue on 0800-39393.
About Digital Rights Foundation and its latest conference
Digital Rights Foundation was founded in 2012. The non-profit organization is envisioned to teach and promote digital rights, especially for women. Primarily, it educates the women on how to respond to online harassment. In addition, the organization also combats against regulation giving government bodies’ extensive powers of investigation online.
On Thursday (24th November 2016), DRF hosted ‘Right to Privacy in the Digital Age’ conference in Islamabad. One of the significant topics which were discussed in the conference was about the ‘Gendered Surveillance – Targeting Women Journalists’. Furthermore, several other issues were also raised about privacy during the conference.
The crux of the discussion was how women need to support each other online to bring any online harassment issue to light. Subsequently, it resulted in the introduction of Cyber Harassment Helpline.
Do you think the launch of the helpline will help in reducing online harassment cases in Pakistan in the future?
