By Blesisngs Tambala:
As 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑ Based Violence (GBV) ends today, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Jolobala has called for stringent rules on cyberbullying.
“I’m one of the survivors of cyber‑bullying. I was bullied on social media during the campaign period but that did not stop me from contesting as member of Parliament because I knew who I am,” Jolobala said on Tuesday during commemorations marking 16 Days of Activism Against GBV in Machinga District.
She, therefore, urged victims of cyber‑bullying to be bold, build self‑esteem and not let online harassment derail their ambitions.
Jolobala then called for enforcement of cybersecurity laws.
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“Because we have laws in place, notably the Cyber Security and Electronic Transactions Act, we need to take implementation seriously. We should be able to see if we are making progress, what the challenges are, and whether it [failure to act] has to do with law enforcement so that we protect our communities,” she said.
On his part, Machinga District Council Principal Gender Officer Lawrence
Matiti said the district was putting in place mechanisms for addressing problems related to sexual and gender‑based violence as digital platform use rises.
“We, as a district, are also sensitising community members to issues such as cyberbullying,’ Matiti said
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Meanwhile, Bellinda Somanje Chimombo, Chairperson for Machinga Civil Society Network, has called for collaboration in tackling GBV‑related problems.
The commemoration was held under the theme ‘Unite to End Digital Cyber‑Bullying and Gender‑Based Violence’ and was supported by partners such as Concerned Youth Organisation, Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education, Youth Impact Organisation, Find Your Feet, Forum for Youth Development, DENEY and Youth‑Net and Counselling, among others.
