TikTok and the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) have launched a series of Women in Media Safety Roundtables in Sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Kenya.
The roundtables are part of an overarching effort by TikTok to create a safer and more inclusive online space.
The forums are set to target tech-enabled gender-based violence (TFGBV), an element that has gone on to victimize many women in the media.
The forums bring together journalists, digital security experts, civil society, regulators, and online content providers to a place of convergence on solutions that protect women’s online voices.
“Combating tech-enabled gender-based violence requires more than policy it requires listening, learning, and collaboration,” underscored Kim Thipe, CABC Executive Director. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with TikTok on a project that places local voices and everyday experience at the forefront of the discussion.”
CABC’s community-driven insights are assisting in the identification of harmful online trends as well as enhancing moderation of gender-based hate speech.
Our work stems from the individuals who must endure abusive content every day,” Kyle Janse, CABC Research Lead stated. “That makes us stronger in knowing and doing regarding gender-based abuse.”
TikTok asserts that its aim is to listen directly from the impacted communities. While the global digital world keeps expanding, women and marginalized groups keep fighting against challenges that typically silence them.
“To learn about our community, we must first learn about their world,” adds Duduzile Mkhize, TikTok’s Sub-Saharan Africa Outreach and Partnerships Manager. “Insights from media experts and journalists help us improve our tools and make TikTok a safer space for everyone.”
The roundtables are not merely chat rather, a space to envision safety and belonging online. CABC and TikTok are bringing survivors, media members, and community leaders together to make sure solutions are survivor-led.
TikTok is supplementing its safety efforts in Kenya and the wider region through these talks, and increasing awareness of the safety features that already exist on the platform.
“Preserving women’s safety to work and speak freely online is not a technology problemit’s a democracy problem,” Kenya Editors’ Guild President Zubeida Kananu stated. “We appreciate TikTok’s willingness to be willing to listen and collaborate with industries in developing online communities as safer.”
Women in Media Safety Roundtables are the latest significant effort towards a sustained commitment from TikTok to a safer and more respectful online community throughout all of Africa.
“Things that matter most to us are safety,” Mkhize said. “By listening and learning from our users, we’re co-creating with them because creating safe spaces on the internet isn’t really about the tech, it’s people.”
