Empowering women by strengthening digital security in the Solomon Islands
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To address growing online security concerns, especially those faced by women leaders and women Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), UN Women, in partnership with the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, and with the support of Australia’s Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation Program, has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop in Honiara.
Held on 30-31 January 2025, the workshop was tailored to the local needs of women CSOs and informed by the findings of recent digital security research by UN Women and the UN University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) which highlighted the disproportionate risks faced by women-led CSOs.
For example, 53 per cent of women-led CSOs reported experiencing disinformation (sometimes, often, or very often), compared to 43 per cent of non-women-led CSOs, according to the report, Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities and Resilience Among Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society in South-East Asia.
Additionally, 51 per cent of women-led CSOs had faced online harassment, versus 34 per cent of non-women-led CSOs.
The workshop brought together 32 women CSO representatives from across the Solomon Islands. Through practical exercises and expert-led discussions, participants strengthened their knowledge of cyber hygiene, cyber resilience and AI literacy.
“Identity theft, impersonation, spoofing and phishing are significant concerns in our context," shared Hellen Riibako, Swipe Safe Project Coordinator at Homes of Peace and Empowerment. "This is especially alarming for women with disabilities. My organization and I are committed to leveraging technology to empower women with disabilities as leaders, ensuring they can navigate the online space safely and without risk.”
“In the digital world, securing our voices is essential. The workshop has equipped us with the tools to protect our work and amplify the impact of women’s civil society organizations in Solomon Islands,” explained another participant, Xianne Z. Clyde, Deputy Centre Manager at Family support Centre in Honiara.
With memberships in all provinces and in Honiara, the Solomon Islands’ Council of Women recognizes the need to enhance digital security awareness and support women who may face these threats in the future.
"We realized this training is very useful and that there are very affordable AI tools that can help us advance our work. This workshop has not only equipped us with the skills to stay safer online but has also given us the confidence to contribute to policy discussions on digital security," said Janet Tuhaika, General Secretary, Solomon Islands’ National Council of Women.
As digital threats evolve, UN Women remains committed to supporting women’s leadership in cybersecurity discussions, including through a Women, Peace and Security Agenda lens, to ensure women-led CSOs have the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.
See also:
- Women, Peace and Cybersecurity Publications
- UN Women in the Pacific
- Regional Framework Towards Peaceful, Inclusive Societies: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Inclusive Governance in the Asia-Pacific Region (2023-27)
- UN Women Digital Security eLearning Platform for Asia and the Pacific